Concerns have emerged from GaDangme traditional authorities after the burial of Highlife legend Daddy Lumba at his private residence in East Legon, with leaders insisting the act does not align with their customs.

The situation has triggered questions about who is permitted to be buried in a private home on Ga land.

Addressing the media on March 17, 2026, GaDangme traditional leaders explained that burial within one’s residence is not a widespread practice but is strictly reserved for certain individuals under established traditional rules.

They indicated that for such a burial to take place, the deceased must be a royal, and the decision must be endorsed by an entire traditional stool.

“For a person to be buried in his home, that person must be of royalty, and that person should have this kind of burial only when an entire stool has agreed that this royal must be buried in his home,” Rev Jesse Ankrah, spokesperson of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse’s office said.

Rev Jesse Ankrah further clarified that even where an individual is a royal from another ethnic group or jurisdiction, that status is confined to their place of origin, meaning they cannot be buried in private homes on Ga land if they are not Ga royals.

“If you are a royal and you come from another tribe different from the GaDangme, your royalty limits you to where you come from,” he clarified.

He added that non-royals, described as “ordinary people,” are generally not allowed to be buried in their homes unless exceptional circumstances exist.

He explained that such an exception may only be granted if the individual made a significant and recognised contribution to the GaDangme people or their land.

“If you are just ordinary, we do not permit it. If somebody is to be buried in his home and that has to be accepted, then that person must have something very special for the GaDangme people or the GaDangme land. Without these things, you’re not permitted to be buried in your house,” he added.

Tensions are still simmering over events following the burial of Highlife icon Daddy Lumba.

On February 25, 2026, sections of the musician’s extended family reportedly summoned their family head, Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu, demanding that he reveal the burial location of the late singer or face possible removal from his role.

In an interview with Ezra TV on February 26, 2026, Kofi Owusu questioned why those making the demands claimed they were unaware of the burial site despite choosing not to attend the funeral.

He also confirmed earlier statements by Afia Schwarzenegger that Daddy Lumba was laid to rest at his East Legon residence in Accra, in line with his final wishes.

According to the family head, the relatives involved were already aware of where the burial took place and their claims of ignorance were false.

“If you chose not to attend the funeral because you were upset about the court’s verdict, how can you now claim you don’t know where Daddy Lumba was buried? You can’t skip the funeral and expect to know the burial site. They are lucky that Afia Schwarzenegger made the location of Lumba’s burial known publicly, so saying you don’t know where he was buried is a lie,” he said.

Back in December 2025, Afia Schwarzenegger had revealed that the Highlife legend was buried at his East Legon home, stating that it was his dying wish — a claim now backed by the family head.

“He was buried at his residence in East Legon, which was his dying wish. Do you know what killed him? He died from a cardiac arrest,” Afia Schwarzenegger said.

Meanwhile, the extended family convened a meeting at Parkoso on February 25, 2026, where discussions focused on the actions of the family head and moves to remove him from office.

They accused Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu of failing to follow proper procedures before, during, and after Daddy Lumba’s burial.

As a result, he has been given until March 11, 2026, to appear before family elders to address the concerns raised or risk being stripped of his position.