A Kumasi High Court has been told that the late popular highlife musician, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, known as Daddy Lumba, fathered 17 children outside of marriage.

This was contained in a disputed letter presented in court.

Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, one of the women involved in the case, is seeking recognition as the only surviving wife of the musician and wants exclusive rights to perform widowhood rites at his funeral.

She has also asked the court to prevent another woman, Priscilla Ofori, also known as Odo Broni, from presenting herself as Lumba’s wife.

Cross-examination

During cross-examination on Friday (21 November) Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu, head of the Parkoso Ekuona family, recounted that he had verified Priscilla Ofori’s identity and learned that she had six children with Lumba and was customarily married in 2010.

He described the process he took before informing the Asantehene, the President, and other dignitaries about the musician’s death.

The letter, dated 4 February 2018, alleges that Lumba abandoned Akosua Serwaa for five years to marry another woman publicly while fathering multiple children with other women.

It also describes the musician as abusive, claiming that Serwaa endured physical and psychological mistreatment.

Owusu testified that he believed the letter was genuine, although Serwaa denies authorizing it. He could not confirm whether any action was taken in response to the letter.

The court was also told that Lumba’s funeral planning was complicated by conflicting claims over his marriages and children.

Hearing resumes on Monday (24 November).