BY Grace Zigah
The late Ghanaian highlife maestro, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, affectionately known as Daddy Lumba, will be given a grand state-like farewell on December 6, 2025, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The announcement was made by DL FM, the radio station the musician founded before his passing, marking what is expected to be one of the biggest public funerals in Ghana’s entertainment history.
Lumba passed away on July 26, 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness at 60 years.
His death plunged the nation into mourning, with tributes pouring in from every corner of the country and beyond.
From top political figures—including both current and former presidents—to fellow musicians, fans, and members of the clergy, the outpouring of love reflected the monumental impact he had on the music and culture.
Following his passing, the Creative Arts Agency in collaboration with the Fosu family organized a national candlelight vigil on August 2, 2025, at Independence Square in Accra.
The vigil drew thousands of fans and industry personalities who sang and danced to Lumba’s timeless hits under the night sky.
Similar vigils were simultaneously held in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, and several regions across Ghana, underscoring the artist’s global influence.
A one-week memorial service was later held on August 30, 2025, also at Independence Square.
True to Akan tradition, mourners clad in black and red gathered to celebrate the life of the musical icon.
The event featured emotional performances from Lumba’s contemporaries and younger artists who credited him as their greatest inspiration.
Born in 1965 in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Daddy Lumba began his musical journey in the early 1980s.
He rose to prominence with a string of hit albums that defined Ghanaian highlife music and modernized it for contemporary audiences.
With over 30 albums to his credit, including Aben Wo Ha, Yentie Obiaa, Theresa Abebrese, Sika Asem, Ako Te Brofo, and Odo Bewu Dee, Lumba became synonymous with musical excellence and lyrical brilliance.
Throughout his four-decade career, he won numerous Ghana Music Awards and international honours, earning recognition as one of the most successful and influential musicians.
His songs—often a blend of humor, social commentary, and love—cemented his place as a cultural icon whose works continue to resonate with generations.
The upcoming funeral at the Baba Yara Stadium is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners, including government officials, musicians, traditional leaders, and fans from across the world.
Preparations are already underway to ensure a befitting farewell worthy of the man whose voice and artistry defined an era of Ghanaian music.
Daddy Lumba leaves behind a legacy unmatched in the annals of highlife.
His music continues to play at social events, on the radio, and in homes—reminding Ghanaians of a legend who sang the soundtrack of their lives.
