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Fresh disagreements have emerged within the family of late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba over plans to mark the first anniversary of his passing, with two factions presenting conflicting positions on whether the commemoration should take place.
The dispute, which comes ahead of the anniversary of the musician’s death on July 26, 2025, centres on who has the legitimate authority to organise activities in his honour, including anniversary celebrations and traditional family rites.
Victor Kofi Owusu, popularly known as Abusuapanyin Tupac, who previously served as head of the Ekuona Family but whose position is currently being contested, has announced that preparations are underway for a one-year anniversary event on July 26, 2026.
Speaking in an interview with veteran musician Slimbuster, Tupac said the celebration will not only honour Daddy Lumba’s memory but will also include customary rites for the late musician’s widow, Odo Broni, who observed traditional widowhood rites following his death.
He insisted that he would not allow any disruption of the planned activities, recalling what he described as disturbances during Daddy Lumba’s burial.
“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,” he stated.
Tupac further maintained that no individual or group could prevent the anniversary celebration from taking place, while appealing to family members, including Daddy Lumba’s sister Ernestina Fosu and his widow Akosua Serwaa, to put aside their differences and unite in honour of the late musician.
However, another faction of the Ekuona Family, led by Nana Kwabena Brefo, has rejected Tupac’s claims, insisting that he no longer has the authority to act as family head because he has allegedly been destooled.
According to Nana Kwabena Brefo, issues concerning the family’s leadership remain before the courts and therefore no person has the mandate to organise events using Daddy Lumba’s name without approval from the recognised family leadership.
The faction also stated that no one has been authorised to use the late musician’s name, image, likeness or initials, including “DL”, for any anniversary event or promotional activity.
They further denied knowledge of the planned July 26 celebration, describing reports of the event as misleading.
“The family has not made any such arrangements. We urge the public to disregard those claims, as they are misleading,” Nana Kwabena Brefo said.
The faction also questioned how an anniversary celebration could be organised when, according to them, the family has not been informed about the exact location of Daddy Lumba’s burial.
Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, died on July 26, 2025, at The Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
The Highlife icon was laid to rest at Heroes Park at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi following his final funeral rites in December 2025.
