Daddy Lumba Family Divided Over One-Year Anniversary Celebration Plans

Fresh tensions have emerged within the family of late Ghanaian Highlife legend Daddy Lumba ahead of the first anniversary of his passing, as two rival factions disagree over who has the legitimate authority to organize activities in his memory.

The disagreement comes nearly a year after the celebrated musician, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, died on July 26, 2025, and centers on the planned commemoration scheduled for July 26, 2026.

Tupac Announces Anniversary Plans

Victor Kofi Owusu, popularly known as Abusuapanyin Tupac, who previously served as the head of the Ekuona Family but whose leadership is currently being disputed, disclosed in an interview with veteran musician Slimbuster that preparations are underway to mark Daddy Lumba’s one-year anniversary.

According to him, the planned activities will not only commemorate the late Highlife icon but will also include the performance of traditional customary rites for Odo Broni, Daddy Lumba’s widow, who observed customary widowhood rites following the singer’s death.

Tupac insisted that he would not allow anyone to interfere with either the anniversary celebration or the customary rites, saying he believes similar disruptions occurred during Daddy Lumba’s burial.

He stressed that no individual or group would be permitted to disrupt the scheduled events and maintained that the commemoration would proceed as planned.

“I will not allow such incidents to happen again, where people come and disrupt our activities. Anyone who is ready for us to work together is welcome, but if you’re not, don’t make any attempt to interfere. I will not allow someone who is not part of the family to appear out of nowhere and threaten me or anyone else. I am not afraid of anyone,” he warned.

Tupac further stated that no one would be allowed to tarnish the reputation of the family he claims to lead, insisting that no individual or group could stop the planned anniversary celebration.

He also appealed to Daddy Lumba’s sister, Ernestina Fosu, the late musician’s wife Akosua Serwaa, and other family members whom he believes oppose him to put aside their differences and unite in honour of the music legend.

According to him, the family should come together to celebrate Daddy Lumba’s legacy and allow him to rest in peace.

Rival Family Faction Rejects His Claims

However, another faction of the family, led by Nana Kwabena Brefo, who is recognized by members of the Ekuona Family as their current head, has rejected Tupac’s claims.

The group argued that Tupac has been removed from his former position and therefore has no authority to organize or promote any event in Daddy Lumba’s name without the approval of the recognized family leadership.

The faction further maintained that, as far as they are concerned, no one is authorized to use Daddy Lumba’s name, image, likeness or initials, including “DL,” for any unauthorized event or promotional activity.

Consequently, they insist that the one-year anniversary celebration Tupac claims will take place on July 26, 2026, has neither been sanctioned nor approved by the family and therefore should not go ahead.

The family also questioned how such an anniversary event could be organized when, according to them, they have not disclosed the exact location where Daddy Lumba was buried.

In a statement, the faction urged the public to disregard reports circulating online that an official one-year anniversary celebration had been planned.

“We have come across reports online claiming that a one-year anniversary celebration for Daddy Lumba is being planned for July 26, 2026. However, the family has not made any such arrangements. We urge the public to disregard those claims, as they are misleading.”

Nana Kwabena Brefo further stated that Wofa Opoku and Ernestina Bremponmaa, whom he described as Daddy Lumba’s immediate family members, have not planned any anniversary event.

He added that the matter remains before the courts, making it impossible to organize an official one-year remembrance ceremony at this time.

Daddy Lumba’s Passing

Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, passed away on the morning of July 26, 2025, at The Bank Hospital in Cantonments, Accra, after a short illness.

The legendary Highlife musician was laid to rest at Heroes Park at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi following his state-assisted funeral rites held in December 2025.