Asantehene postpones audience with Daddy Lumba’s family amid escalating funeral dispute

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has postponed an anticipated meeting with the family of the late highlife icon Daddy Lumba, as disagreements over his funeral arrangements intensify.

A delegation led by the Abusuapanyin, Kofi Owusu, appeared before the Asantehene on December 8, 2025, to officially inform the palace of preparations for the musician’s burial, scheduled for December 13 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

However, long-standing tensions within the family continue to cast uncertainty over the ceremony.

At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over which of Daddy Lumba’s two wives should be recognised as his legitimate widow, as well as who holds the sole authority to organise his final rites.

A rival faction made up of the musician’s elder sister, Ernestina Fosuh, popularly called Akosua Brempomaa, his paternal uncle Wofa Yaw Opoku, his maternal grandaunt, and other relatives has initiated legal action seeking to stop the planned funeral.

They accuse the Abusuapanyin of taking control of the burial arrangements without broader family consultation and allege that funds were withdrawn from the singer’s memorial account without collective approval.

Kofi Owusu, however, maintains that as head of the Ekuona Royal Family of Parkoso, he has exclusive responsibility for the funeral and has continued preparations regardless of the objections.

The disagreement spilled into public view at Manhyia Palace, where both factions arrived separately under the leadership of Kofi Owusu and Ernestina Fosuh. Videos of the tense palace encounter have since circulated on social media.

Following engagements with the palace, reports emerged that the Asantehene has rescheduled his meeting with the family to Thursday, December 11.

While no official explanation has been given for the change, reactions from the opposing camps suggested differing interpretations of the development.

Ernestina Fosuh was seen leaving the palace in visibly high spirits, along with her uncle Wofa Yaw Opoku, who appeared encouraged by the turn of events.

In contrast, Faustina, the younger sister of Ernestina Fosuh and believed to be aligned with the Abusuapanyin’s camp, looked disappointed as she exited the palace, fueling speculation that the postponement may not favour their side.

Significantly, December 11 also coincides with the first court hearing of the lawsuit filed by Ernestina Fosuh and her relatives against Kofi Owusu, deepening the uncertainty surrounding the final funeral arrangements of the late musician.