Lumba Akra Mo (Goodbye: God Be With Ye)

“No man is an iland, entire of itself, every man is a peece of the continent A part of the main … any mans death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee”

Jone Donne

Meditation XVII (1624)

 

Lumba came, Lumba saw, and Lumba conquered, but it was a kaleidoscopic, meandering journey – for him, a logo – ligi legendary career. Ever since 1989 that he launched the “Yeeye aka akwantuo mu” (We’ve nearly lost our way back) album with Nana Acheampong, Lumba had never rested on his oars nor rested on his laurels.

His musical career had touched nearly every aspect of (Ghanaian) life: from hardship/poverty to wealth/riches; from love to heart-break; from romance to spirituality; (mahu Yesu ama me life asesa) from wedding to political campaigns (Nana, Oye Winner, Kukrudu) Lumba will show his gratitude to his first sweetheart Theresah Abebrese for her life – long assistance and also supporting him when his mother, Ama Saah died.

Lumba’s life trajectory appears to have passed through all the stages of life forming themes of his songs – we remember “Yaa Amponsah” the oldest highlife song our fathers used to enjoy in the 1930’s (Zonophone or gramophone recorded by the Kumasi Trio).

Troubled times of Lumba in Germany where allegedly his sweetheart Akosua Serwaa packed and threw his things (belongings) through the window – with a threat: “go to your numerous girl – friends”: But it was rough in Germany: many Ghanaian residents there “adi aduro” (taken some medicine claiming refugee status under false claims) to such an extent that coming back was as difficult as going forward and literary minds would rehash Macbeth say: “I am in blood, Stepped in so far that should I wade no more. Returning were as tedious as go o’er”.

He would return to Ghana, and churn out songs upon songs – to the admiration of a large following, young and old alike. Was there a hidden inner pain? Yes,

Comes in Odo Broni, nee Priscilla Ofori Atta who started her romance with Lumba at the tender age of 14, a final year student of Ashley College in Accra romanticizing for about 4 years until they got customarily married in 2010: and Lumba made her stop her nursing course at King’s Health College. The first child was born to Odo Broni in 2011.

Then, the children started coming: 1,2,3,4,5,6… Then Lumba’s health began to fail him…and “the man died (apologies to Wole Soyinka). Like Michael Jackson’s death in 2009 rumours went flying: while in the case of Michael his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray got 4 years jail (released after 2years) for administering propofol, leading to acute propofol intoxication, in Lumba’s case, it was food poisoning. The rumour – mill is ignited …Freda Afriyie – hear her on TikTok.

There arose the question of widowhood: instead of sound advice from Manhyia Palace to “plan” together… no, Akosua Serwaa sent the case to court proclaiming herself as the “only surviving spouse” to Lumba. Akosua Serwaa’s lawyer was William Kusi, Esq, who, after each session would give a “press briefing” At one such “press briefing” William Kusi Esq, after touting his client’s legal position, rhetorically asked: “Can a slay queen be a widow…women who snatch other women’s husbands have no business with widowhood rites”.

If the Judge had admitted Akosua Serwaa as the only legally married woman, Odo Broni could have been slapped with the charge of adultery with its negative social and moral implications or even bigamy – “Criminal Offence under S 263 of Criminal Offences Act 29 1960.

This question and allusion to Odo Broni irked Kwesi Ernest an entertainment critic and artiste manager, leading him to argue: “The lawyer seems to be playing the role of both a lawyer and a judge. His utterances and the way he refers to Odo Broni in certain contexts, that’s not how a legally trained gentleman should speak.

You can’t go on a public platform and refer (to) someone as a slay queen, Even if he manages to win the case for Akosua Serwaa, Daddy Lumba’s wife will still have to work directly with the Fosu family head to perform the widowhood rites…”

As the legal battle continued, the legal exchanges became profound. William Kusi, Esq, for example could be on his feet for nearly two hours dishing out legal arguments with authorities, judicial precedents, stare decisis, … The Defendants, led by Osei – Owusu, Esq (For Odo Broni and Abusupanin) would throw in jabs of Family law, common law case, Teacher Kantanka would be invited by the court to explain different forms of customary marriages, including “mpena aware …

At the end of the legal tussle, Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur, whom some people refer to as the “judge of the year” gave the judgment on 28^th November, 2025, thus: … I hold that:  The Plaintiff was customarily married to the deceased Charles Kwadwo Fosuh aka Daddy Lumba in 1991 in Ghana. The second Defendant was customarily married to the deceased Charles Kwadwo Fosuh aka Daddy Lumba in 2010 in Ghana.

I declare that the Plaintiff and the 2nd Defendant are the surviving spouses of the deceased Charles Kwadwo Fosuh aka Daddy Lumba. Consequential Orders: The Ekuona Family of Parkoso and Nsuta, Ashanti, represented by the head of family Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, the 1^st Defendant is hereby ordered to recognise the Plaintiff – Akosua Serwaah Fosuh and the 2nd Defendant – Priscilla Ofori, to perform the widowhood rite during the burial and funeral of the late Charles Kwadwo Fosuh aka Daddy Lumba forthwith.

There is no impediment in the way of the 3rd Defendant in allowing the Ekuona family of Parkoso and Nsuta represented by the head of family Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu access to the body of the late Charles Kwadwo Fosuh aka Daddy Lumba to perform his burial and funeral rites.”

An application for injunction, refused in Kumasi, and entertained in Accra… The High Court in Accra ruled on Friday, 12th December, 2025 to grant
the Plaintiff’s application, thus holding the funeral in abeyance. Then, come see jubilation, Papa Shee and a Lumba’s maternal family man, “M’ahye goal (l’ve scored a goal)” and Lumba’s sister, Akosua Brempomaa was ecstatic. Shouting “Alleluia”. Short-lived jubilation because the condition was later added: family should pay GH¢2m down to take care of the expenses of Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu…

The body to Kumasi; short lying-in-state. Carried to Nsuta for burial. (flown back to Lumba’s house in Accra?). At the funeral grounds at Heroes Park, the mutual respect for Akosua Serwaa’s children and Odo Broni was on display. Odo Broni’s tribute read: “… My husband, my King and eternal love, Though you are gone from this world you remain etched in my soul… Rest well … knowing that your Odo Broni will never let your story be forgotten…

Hon. Asiedu Nketia, General Mosquito, had confirmed that Lumba introduced Odo Broni to him as his “wife” very striking…!

It was the turn of Kofi Owusu – to jubilate to mock the “against” people –  But is that what an Abusuapanin does? Is he not supposed to be a unifier? Is he not among the principal members of the family elders who discuss family matters and take a common decision? But Kofi Owusu would savour “Tupac, Yennye wo den ni” and switch to Hausa: “Allahu akbar, nii ban soro…” But who cares whether Lumba and Tupac are “Tani” (Northerns) or not, as alleged by Kevin Taylor? They are Ghanaians, aren’t they? We are All Ghanaians, aren’t we?

Africanus Owusu – Ansah

[email protected]

 

 

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