Event organiser Nabil Alhassan has revealed that the late highlife icon Daddy Lumba once demanded that Ofori Amponsah be removed from the lineup of the Valentine show scheduled for 15th February 2025.
He told Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z that the request came after all arrangements had already been agreed.
While preparing for the Valentine concert held at the Accra International Conference Centre (Grand Arena), Nabil said he and his team had finalised a list of supporting artistes when Daddy Lumba placed a call through Serwaa Amihere to insist Ofori be dropped.
“We made our first payment and publicity started. One day I saw Serwaa Amihere calling me. She said Daddy was on the line and wanted to speak to me about something going on. He said ‘Nabil, how are you?’. I want you to take Ofori off the show,” he recounted.
When Nabil pressed for a reason, he said Lumba claimed Ofori had not been included in the initial list of performers. When reminded that Ofori was part of the arrangement, Lumba then asserted he had heard Ofori had made negative remarks about him.
Nabil said he was stunned, given that Ofori had performed at Lumba’s birthday party just days earlier.
That notwithstanding, he noted that Ofori Amponsah performed at the event.
According to Nabil, that was the second time he had tried to secure Daddy Lumba for a show. His first attempt in 2012 failed because he could not raise the GH ₵300,000 fee Lumba demanded.
The show, organised by Nabil Alhassan and his Event Factory Ghana team as Valentine with Daddy Lumba, drew strong attendance and is already regarded as one of Lumba’s standout concerts.
Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu on 29th September 1964, passed away on 26th July 2025 at the Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
He left behind a legacy of over 33 albums and a catalogue of timeless hits such as Aben Wo Ha, Sika Asɛm, Theresa, Makra Mo, Yentie Obiaa, and Ohia Asɛm.
About the Author
