In line with Akan tradition, a one-week observation of the passing of highlife music legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosu also known as Daddy Lumba, was on Saturday, held at the Black Star Square in Accra.
Hundreds of fans, music artistes, dignitaries, and family members from all walks of life thronged the event grounds to pay their last respects to the late music icon.
The solemn yet celebratory ceremony drew prominent figures from politics, entertainment, and the clergy, who joined hands to pay tribute to the man whose music shaped Ghana’s cultural landscape for more than four decades.
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin and former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong added political touch to the solemn event.
Music artistes Sarkodie and his wife, Brother Sammy, Diana Asamoah, Gyakie, legendary highlife greats Amakye Dede and Pat Thomas, actress Emelia Brobbey, Akuapem Poloo, as well as various fan clubs of the late musician, were in attendance, underscoring the national stature of the highlife icon.
Though it was expected to be a moment of sober reflection, the gathering quickly took on the air of a celebration, as mourners danced to live band performances of Lumba’s timeless songs, singing along and sharing fond memories of the man many regard as the greatest highlife musician of all time.
Born in 1964, Daddy Lumba’s journey to stardom began in the 1980s, rising from humble beginnings to become a household name across Ghana and beyond.
His repertoire spanning gospel, love ballads, and social commentary earned him a unique place in the hearts of fans, with classics such as Makra Mo, Aben Wo Ha, and Theresa securing his reputation as a versatile and prolific hitmaker.
On July 26, 2025, Ghana was plunged into grief following news of his death after a prolonged illness. His passing sparked an outpouring of tributes nationwide, with many describing him as not just a musician but a cultural institution.
The one-week observation at the Black Star Square served as both a remembrance and a celebration of his extraordinary contribution to Ghana’s music industry. Plans for his final funeral rites are expected to be announced by the family in the coming weeks.
Daddy Lumba leaves behind a legacy of more than 30 albums, countless hit songs, and an indelible mark on Ghana’s cultural identity.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG