Ghanaians are mourning the death of celebrated highlife legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away at the age of 60 after a short illness. His family confirmed the news in a statement, describing him as a “cultural icon whose music touched countless lives.”
With a career spanning nearly four decades, Daddy Lumba released 33 albums and over 200 songs, making him one of the most influential figures in Ghanaian music history. His timeless highlife hits explored themes of love, forgiveness, wealth, beauty, and social realities, earning him a place as a household name across West Africa and the diaspora.
Tributes have poured in from across the country. Kofi Okyere-Darko, director of diaspora affairs at the office of the president, hailed him as “the greatest from Ghana in the last 100 years,” while President John Mahama called him “a musical genius whose melodies provided the soundtrack to our lives.” Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia described his death as “a huge blow not only to the music industry but to the entire nation.”
Fellow artists including Sarkodie, M.anifest, Sista Afia and Guru paid heartfelt tributes, celebrating the “incredible talent he shared with the world.”
Daddy Lumba, born on 29 September 1964 in Nsuta, Ashanti Region, began his journey in the 1980s and rose to fame as part of the Lumba Brothers alongside Nana Acheampong. Their debut album Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom became an anthem for Ghanaian migrants in Europe. After launching his solo career in 1990 with Obi Ate Meso Bio, he became a trailblazer for modern highlife, inspiring generations of musicians.
Among his most iconic works are Sika Sem, Aben Wo Ha, Wo Ho Kyere, Awosoo, Ahenfue Kyinkye, and Give Peace a Chance. His last public performance was on 15 February 2025 during a Valentine’s Day concert attended by top Ghanaian musicians and political leaders, while his final single, Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo, released in December 2022, showcased his enduring relevance.
Daddy Lumba was scheduled for a US and Canada tour later this year before his passing. His family has requested privacy as they navigate their loss and announced that funeral arrangements will be shared soon.
His death marks the end of an era for Ghanaian highlife music, but his legacy as a cultural pioneer will continue to resonate across Africa and beyond.
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