The long-standing debate surrounding who introduced highlife artiste Ofori Amponsah to the late legendary musician Daddy Lumba has resurfaced after music producer Fred Kyei Mensah, popularly known as Fredima, refuted claims by Ofori Amponsah that he played no role in their first meeting.

In a detailed Facebook post, Fredima sought to set the record straight following Ofori Amponsah’s recent remarks during an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz show hosted by Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio.

The award-winning singer had denied ever visiting Daddy Lumba’s house with Fredima, insisting he personally took his demo to the celebrated highlife icon.

Fredima’s Recollection of Events

Fredima expressed disappointment over Ofori Amponsah’s recollection, stressing that contrary to the musician’s claim, he indeed accompanied him to Daddy Lumba’s residence over three decades ago to present the demo recording of Odo Mmra Fie — the song that marked the beginning of Ofori’s rise to fame.

“There is a conversation going round about an interview Ofori Amponsah had on Hitz FM denying that I NEVER took him to the late Daddy Lumba’s house to present his demo song ‘Odo Mmra Fie’. I have written several articles, had countless interviews, and even the late Daddy Lumba admitted meeting myself and him while alive,” Fredima wrote.

He backed his statement by naming several witnesses who were present or aware of the event, including his wife, Jose Addo, Eb De Noble Choice, Selina Orleans Lindsay, Omama Agyei, and Nana Agyei Kodie.

According to Fredima, these individuals could attest to the meeting that took place at Daddy Lumba’s Dome residence in 1993.

I Drove Him There

Fredima clarified that while he had never claimed to be the first person to introduce Ofori to Lumba, he was the one who personally drove him to meet the music legend for the first time.

“I have not said anywhere that I was the first person who introduced him to Daddy Lumba, but I was the first to accompany him to present his demo to Lumba,” he explained.

Drawing from a prophecy made by an uncle in 1993, Fredima noted that he was forewarned that Ofori might one day deny his role in their early collaboration.

“While programming his song in 1993, an uncle of mine said, ‘Ofori will one day deny certain things about you meeting him.’ It seems that time has come,” he added.

Fredima further challenged Ofori to deny that he sat in his car when they drove to Lumba’s home that year.

“If he says he didn’t do it, I will add it to the seven wonders of the ancient world,” he said humorously, maintaining there was no malice in his statement.

“At least my demo fetched him a springboard in his life. No malice. We move. Good beads don’t rattle.”

Ofori Amponsah’s Side of the Story

In his Hitz FM interview, Ofori Amponsah contradicted Fredima’s version of events. He maintained that he took the initiative to find Daddy Lumba himself after producing his demo with Fredima.

“It wasn’t Fredima who introduced me to Daddy Lumba. I went out searching for a producer by myself. He did the demo for me, and I had to take it around,” Ofori said.

According to him, he personally visited Daddy Lumba’s house, presented his demo, and later received a call from the legend inviting him to collaborate.

“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,” Ofori recounted.

Ofori further claimed that it was rather he who later introduced Fredima to Daddy Lumba, alongside gospel singer Selina Orleans, who would go on to record a gospel song with the veteran highlife star.

A Dispute Rooted in History

This is not the first time the controversy has surfaced.

Three years ago, Fredima reiterated the same claim in an interview on Power FM, recounting how he personally drove Ofori Amponsah to meet Daddy Lumba — a statement that went unchallenged at the time.

In previous interviews, Ofori Amponsah himself had credited Fredima for producing his demo, but his recent comments appear to contradict that acknowledgment.