Daddy Lumba Laid to Rest After Legal Battle
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi was filled with a bittersweet atmosphere on December 13, 2025, as thousands mourned the passing of highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, known as Daddy Lumba.
The funeral, initially slated for December 6th, faced repeated postponements due to a protracted legal battle between family factions. A High Court ruling ultimately paved the way for the ceremony, but not without a final condition.
The core of the dispute lay in the recognition of both Akosua Serwah Fosuh, Lumba’s German-registered wife, and Priscilla Ofori, popularly called “Odo Broni,” with whom he had a customary union. A Kumasi High Court affirmed the legal standing of both women in November, rejecting Akosua Serwaa’s claim to exclusive surviving spouse status.
Lumba’s maternal relatives and sister had sought an injunction, alleging exclusion from funeral arrangements and questioning the authority of the Abusuapanyin. They also requested an independent postmortem, challenging the earlier description of his death as resulting from a “short illness.”
An Accra High Court initially granted the injunction, but lifted it after the applicants failed to pay a GH₵2 million bond by the deadline. “This is a significant relief,” stated a lawyer representing the family head, highlighting the interplay between Ghana’s legal systems and customary practices.
The lying-in-state at Heroes Park saw a continuous stream of mourners paying their respects. Odo Broni’s visible grief, having shared over 15 years of her life with Lumba, resonated deeply with those present.
During the final rites, Priscilla Ofori delivered a moving tribute, declaring, “I will not bow to their malice; I will not let their venom stain the memory of what we were. That truth is eternal, and it will outlive every lie.” Her words directly addressed the controversy surrounding her relationship with the late musician.
Notably absent from the ceremony were members of the maternal family faction, including Ernestina Akosua Brimpomaa Fosuh and Akosua Serwaa, a visible sign of the ongoing tensions.
Adding to the emotional weight, Daddy Lumba’s three children with Akosua Serwaa publicly distanced themselves from the lawsuit and paid their final respects. “They made him a case study for our laws,” one elderly fan commented.
President John Dramani Mahama extended his condolences, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, donated GH₵50,000 in support of the funeral. The presence of Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene underscored the national significance of the event.
A performance by Nana Acheampong, Lumba’s long-time collaborator, proved a powerful unifying moment, as his music filled the stadium. Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia described Lumba as a “pillar of Ghana’s highlife genre,” while businessmen Osei Kwame Despite and Akwasi Sarpong were also in attendance.
Despite the controversies, Daddy Lumba’s legacy of over 30 albums and his profound impact on Ghanaian music will endure. He was laid to rest at a private location following the public ceremony.
As mourners swayed to his timeless melodies, it became clear that Daddy Lumba’s music will continue to echo throughout Ghana – an undying rhythm in the nation’s heart.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
