Wednesday, 05 November

Daddy Lumba introduction controversy: See where Ofori Amponsah and Fredyma agree on fateful 1993 event

Entertainment
Fred Kyei Mensah/Facebook (Pic): Fredyma (L) and Ofori Amponsah (R)

Highlife singer Ofori Amponsah has challenged the popular narrative that he was introduced to Highlife icon Daddy Lumba by record producer Fred Kyei Mensah, alias Fredyma.

"It wasn’t Fredyma who introduced me to Daddy Lumba," Ofori Amponsah told Hitz FM.

He explained he "went out searching for [an executive] producer by myself".

The Duakro (Lone Tree) hitmaker acknowledged Fredyma produced "the demo [Odo Mmra Fie] for me and I had to take it around".

Ofori Amponsah emphasised what has always been his story that he personally went to Daddy Lumba's house, presented his demo as part of other aspiring music stars who were seeking help, and was later invited by an impressed Lumba. It was after this initial meeting, he noted, that he saw Lumba together with Fredyma and singer Selina Orleans. 

"I went to Daddy Lumba’s house myself, presented my demo, and the following day he said he listened to it and wanted to see me. I went in and he said, ‘I will help you. That’s all,’” Amponsah said.

On Facebook, Fredyma appeared to support Ofori Amponsah's narration.

"I have not said anywhere that I was the first person who introduced him to Daddy Lumba, but [rather, I] was the first to accompany him to present his demo to Lumba," the renowned sound engineer said.

The award-winning entertainment pundit's recollection of the fateful 1993 incident when "both of us drove to Daddy Lumba's house one evening at Dome," appeared to include a confirmation that Selina Orleans was with them as Ofori Amponsah had admitted to Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio on Hitz FM.

| Fredyma's car in which he said he rode with Ofori Amponsah to go see Daddy Lumba

"I have people who were around that time including my wife, Jose AddoEb De Noble ChoiceSelina Orleans Lindsay, Omama Agyei, Nana Agyei Kodie and others as witnesses," Fredyma listed.

| Daddy Lumba released a song created upon meeting Selina Orleans, titled Fa Woho Bo Jesus (Come Follow Jesus)

Despite these consistencies between their narrations, the record producer adamantly grieved Ofori Amponsah's alleged untruthfulness and ungratefulness in his Facebook post from Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

"Peter [even] denied Jesus, [let alone] me," he alluded to the heartbreaking biblical scene of a beloved disciple bitterly betraying his master, despite an initial promise of faithfulness.  

"While programming his song in 1993 an uncle of mine said, 'Ofori will one day deny certain things about you meeting him'," Fredyma underlined a caution he traced to the early 90s.  

Concluding his lamentation, he appeared contented to note, "At least my demo fetched him a springboard in his life."  

"No malice. We move," he indicated he bore no grudge, confident that his known legacy bore him adequate witness: "Good beads don’t rattle."

When Daddy Lumba took Ofori Amponsah under his wings, they released classic duets, launching Amponsah into mainstream stardom.

The demo Ofori Amponsah presented to Daddy Lumba became a massive hit for the pair (above)

Woho Kyere single (above) from the Daddy Lumba-Ofori Amponsah joint album (1999) of the same name

| The first solo album Ofori Amponsah released was an instant classic, titled Asew (In-Law) in 2000

Source: classfmonline.com