Papa Shee and Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu
A fresh dispute has erupted within the family of the late highlife legend, Daddy Lumba, as a heated disagreement between Family Head Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu and Evangelist Papa Shee has thrown funeral preparations into yet another round of controversy.
Appearing on UTV’s United Showbiz on Saturday night, the two men clashed over which date should be considered the legitimate and final arrangement for the late musician’s burial.
Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu insisted that the funeral will be held on December 13, a date he says was agreed upon in consultation with Manhyia Palace.
“The funeral will come on December 13,” he declared emphatically.
But Evangelist Papa Shee—who claims to represent Daddy Lumba’s senior sister, Ernestina Akosua Fosu, and a faction of the extended family—vehemently rejected the December 13 date.
He insisted that his side of the family preferred March 14, marking the second time they have demanded a change after earlier dismissing a proposed December 6 date.
According to Papa Shee, several issues make the December date unacceptable, including, family members needing clarity on what exactly caused Lumba’s death, one of the late musician’s children writing exams and another child allegedly lacking the necessary travel documents to come for the burial.
“We won’t allow the December 13 date,” Papa Shee stressed, adding that certain family concerns had not been addressed.
Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu dismissed Papa Shee’s concerns, stating firmly that an autopsy had already been conducted. He invited Papa Shee and his associates to bring a medical expert of their choice to verify the results if they doubted the findings.
He further argued that the delays in burying the music icon were being caused by Papa Shee and a woman he accused of stirring unnecessary conflict within the family.
“I aim to get Lumba buried. All these delays are coming from Papa Shee and the lady causing the problems,” he said.
On the matter of Lumba’s children, the family head maintained that they were fully aware of the arrangements and were making the necessary preparations to attend.
Their confrontation comes on the heels of a Kumasi High Court judgement ordering the family head to recognise both Akosua Serwaa and Priscilla Ofori, as wives of the late musician, and allow them perform widowhood rites.
The ruling followed a legal challenge by Akosua Serwaa, who had sought to be acknowledged as the sole wife of the late Daddy Lumba.
Daddy Lumba’s passing has drawn intense public attention, given his towering presence in Ghana’s music history. Yet, the prolonged disputes over funeral arrangements have left fans frustrated and confused.
While Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu maintains that December 13, is final, Papa Shee’s faction appears determined to resist the date—raising questions about whether another standoff is looming.
For now, the nation waits for clarity as the late highlife icon’s family struggles to settle on a unified path to honour his memory.