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.

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Sugar Ranking has appealed to fans of Shatta Movement and BHIM Nation to stop attaching unnecessary emotions and hostility to musical competition, warning that such actions could negatively affect the industry’s growth.

Speaking during an interview on Daybreak Hitz on July 21, 2026, Sugar Ranking said both fan bases have played significant roles in promoting Ghanaian dancehall and should focus on supporting the culture rather than creating divisions.

According to him, Shatta Movement and BHIM Nation have achieved remarkable success, but some supporters are attempting to undermine the efforts and contributions of the pioneers of the genre simply to gain attention online.

“Shatta Movement and BHIM Nation have done tremendously well. But the fans, they are trying to distort the toils of the giants seriously because they want to trend,” Sugar Ranking stated.

He explained that music is part of showbiz and healthy competition is one of the elements that keeps the industry exciting. However, he urged fans not to allow personal emotions and hatred to influence how they perceive artistes’ lyrical battles.

“We are here for the betterment of the industry. Sometimes competition makes the industry interesting. If the person is competing without hate, without anything attached to it, followers should follow as such. They should stop trying to add emotions to it,” he said.

Sugar Ranking stressed that dancehall culture has always involved lyrical rivalry, which should not be mistaken for physical conflict.

“Dancehall has come to stay. It will stay. The dancehall culture is violent — not physical violence, but lyrically. It’s lyrically violent. They should accept it that way,” he explained.

The artiste noted that reggae dancehall is built around strong lyrical expressions, debates and competitive performances, and fans must understand that such exchanges are part of the culture.

“That is dancehall, that is reggae dancehall, that is the culture. Lyrically violent, they should accept it that way,” he added.

Sugar Ranking identified fans as his major concern, urging them to protect the unity and progress of Ghana’s music industry.

“The fans are my only concern now,” he said, while expressing appreciation to supporters across different camps.

“I love all of them — BHIM Nation, Shatta Movement, the Ranking Family. Now they say it’s true, it’s Ranking Family, BHIM Nation and Shatta Movement,” he added.

He further acknowledged other established dancehall movements, mentioning High Grade and describing the relationship between the different groups as connected through their shared love for the culture.

“We have High Grade, we have others. High Grade and Ranking Family, we are the same,” Sugar Ranking stated.

Dancehall artiste Sugar Ranking TheRabbi has expressed his desire to have a friendly musical clash with veteran Ghanaian musician Samini, saying the encounter would help showcase the art of dancehall to the younger generation.

Speaking on Daybreak Hitz, Sugar Ranking said Samini is the artiste he wants to face in a lyrical battle, adding that he has been calling for the clash since the beginning, but Samini has not shown interest.

“I want a clash with Samini. He is my mate, and he is the one I want for the love of the game. I have been calling for this clash since we started, but he doesn’t want to do it,” he said.

According to Sugar Ranking, the proposed clash should not be seen as a personal rivalry but rather a celebration of dancehall culture and a way to inspire upcoming artistes.

He explained that both artistes have played important roles in Ghana’s dancehall movement and should come together to demonstrate how the genre is done.

“We should do it so that the young ones will see how we do it. Dancehall is our own. I am the president and he is the vice president, so the president and vice president should do something to make changes,” he added.

Sugar Ranking believes a clash between himself and Samini would create excitement among music lovers while highlighting the creativity and competitiveness that have shaped Ghana’s dancehall scene.

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