The family of the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba must perform traditional rites to pacify the gods of the Ga Dangme land, Rev Ankrah, spokesperson for the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, has stated.

The call from the Ga Dangme traditional authorities follows reports that the late singer was laid to rest at his East Legon home instead of a designated cemetery.

Speaking on March 12, 2026, Rev Ankrah explained that Ga customs do not permit the burial of the dead within residential areas where people live.

According to him, such an act goes against long-standing traditions and is regarded as improper.

“It is dirty to have dead bodies coming closer to our deities, and the spirits around us do not permit that. If you do that, you have to pacify not just the land but the deities and traditional leadership that have control over the territory where this body has been buried,” he said.

Beyond the spiritual concerns, Rev Ankrah also pointed out that burying a body in a residential environment could raise potential health and environmental issues.

He further noted that they have heard claims that the Abusuapanyin had been removed as the head of the family.

Ga elders oppose plan to bury Daddy Lumba at his East Legon residence

Despite the reports, he maintained that the family should still have sent a representative to respond to the concerns raised by the Nungua Traditional Area.

According to him, the traditional leaders will extend another invitation to the family, after which the next course of action will be decided.

“We will extend invitation to the same family. Whether they have a family head or not, they appear here. If the body is removed from the soil, they would still have to pacify the deities of the land and the community. And then answer questions that we are going to put to them,” he stated.

Earlier, a letter from the office of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse dated March 10, 2026, summoned Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu to appear before the overlord, Wor-Lumor Konor Nuumo Borkete Larweh Tsuru, on March 13, 2026.

The summons was connected to reports alleging that Daddy Lumba had been buried at his East Legon residence, an issue the traditional authorities said had sparked concern among sections of the Ga Dangme community.

However, on the scheduled date, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu failed to honour the summons and did not appear before the Ga Dangme traditional leaders.

The laws of Ghana and Ga Adangbe don’t allow Daddy Lumba to be buried at home, the family must pacify the gods - Rev Ankrah, spokesperson for the Gborbu wulomo-shitse pic.twitter.com/iXrw9kPheZ

— Zionfelix (@onua_zionfelix) March 12, 2026