Ghana Honors Daddy Lumba: One-Week Memorial for the King of Highlife
Charles Kwadwo Fosu, affectionately known as Daddy Lumba, left an irreplaceable mark on Ghanaian music and culture. Widely celebrated as the “King of Highlife,” he passed away on July 26, 2025, at age 60, following a brief illness at The Bank Hospital in Cantonments, Accra.
Born on September 29, 1964, in Nsuta in the Ashanti Region, Daddy Lumba rose to fame in the 1980s as one half of the Lumba Brothers duo with Nana Acheampong before pursuing a remarkable solo career. With more than 30 albums, his music seamlessly fused traditional highlife with burger highlife, gospel, reggae, and hip-hop, producing timeless hits such as Yentie Obiaa, Theresa Abebrese, and Aben Wo Ha.
On August 30, 2025, Black Star Square was transformed into a space of remembrance for his one-week observation. Red canopies, black-and-red tents, and floral memorials framed portraits of Lumba from different eras of his life. Thousands of mourners, dressed in traditional mourning cloth and black t-shirts printed with his image, filled the square.
The atmosphere balanced grief and gratitude, with live broadcasts from YFM, Happy FM, and Angel FM ensuring nationwide participation. Apostle Francis Amoako Attah and other dignitaries added a spiritual tone to the event, while social media tributes under hashtags like #CelebratingDaddyLumba and #RIPDaddyLumba highlighted his enduring impact.
The family has since notified government officials, paving the way for a state-assisted funeral in the months ahead. Even in death, Daddy Lumba’s voice continues to echo at weddings, funerals, and gatherings across Ghana—a reminder of music’s power to unite. His legacy lives on, not just in records and performances, but in the hearts of millions who grew up with his sound.
