Former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has disclosed that the late Ghanaian highlife legend, Daddy Lumba, entered into a formal agreement with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, then the Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to compose a campaign song. However, the project was never completed.
Speaking during an interview on Movement TV, Okraku-Mantey confirmed that funds were transferred as part of the agreement, but the anticipated song was not delivered due to the musician’s deteriorating health.
“There was a deal, and the money was transferred—everything was done. But the music didn’t come out,” Okraku-Mantey stated.
He went on to reveal that Dr. Bawumia paid Lumba twice the amount the artist had requested. Despite the project’s failure to materialize, Dr. Bawumia chose not to demand a refund or express dissatisfaction.
“Even Dr. Bawumia gave him more than he asked for, but he never complained,” he noted.
Daddy Lumba, a celebrated icon in Ghana’s music industry, passed away on July 26, 2025, at the age of 60. He was known for his groundbreaking contributions to highlife music and had numerous awards to his name, including several Ghana Music Awards.
Following his passing, additional controversies have surfaced. Notably, Kumawood producer Paul Gee has alleged that Lumba owed him GH₵40,000 from a business deal dating back to 2012. According to Paul Gee, he had paid Lumba for the exclusive rights to distribute footage from the "Legacy and Legacy Ball" concert on DVD. However, Lumba reportedly sold the same rights to another producer and never refunded the original payment.
“I tried several times to retrieve my money, but nothing worked,” Paul Gee said, adding that he plans to approach the late musician’s family before his burial to seek redress.
Source: mynewsgh
Comments
Post a Comment