Ghana is set to honour one of its most beloved music legends, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, with a one-week memorial scheduled for Saturday, 30th August 2025, in Accra. The announcement was made by the Fosu family through the late singer’s radio station, DL FM.
The funeral proper will be held in Kumasi, though the date is yet to be confirmed. The family has stated that full details will be announced in due course.
Daddy Lumba passed away on Friday, 26th July 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness. He was 60 years old. News of his death has triggered a national wave of mourning, with tributes pouring in from the general public, fellow musicians, and national figures, including President Nana Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama.
In remembrance of his legacy, a national candlelight vigil was organised by the Creative Arts Agency in partnership with the Fosu family on August 2nd, just a week after his passing. The solemn event took place at Independence Square in Accra and drew thousands of fans and well-wishers. The vigil also sparked international tributes, with simultaneous ceremonies held in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands, where Daddy Lumba also enjoyed a large fan base.
Born in 1965, Daddy Lumba’s influence on highlife music and Ghanaian culture is undeniable. With a career spanning nearly four decades and a discography of over 33 albums, his unique sound and emotive lyrics earned him critical acclaim and widespread popularity. Iconic tracks such as “Aben Wo Ha,” “Theresa,” “Playboy,” “Biribi Gyegye Wo,” and “Awoso” remain evergreen anthems across generations.
Beyond his commercial success, Daddy Lumba was a cultural icon. He received numerous accolades, including several Ghana Music Awards, the Legend of Entertainment Award at EMY Africa 2018, and, most recently, a Presidential Grand Medal in 2025, just months before his passing.
The upcoming one-week memorial is expected to draw an even larger crowd, with many industry leaders, musicians, and public figures planning to attend to pay their respects. According to the organisers, the event will be a celebration of life, highlighting Lumba’s music, charitable work, and enduring impact on Ghana’s cultural landscape.
Many fans and commentators have taken to social media to express both sorrow at his passing and gratitude for his contributions. “Lumba wasn’t just a musician; he was a voice of the people. His music comforted us, made us dance, and told our stories,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, preparations are already underway for a fitting send-off in Kumasi, where Daddy Lumba was born and where he began his music journey. The funeral is expected to bring together thousands of mourners and will likely be among the most significant public memorials in recent Ghanaian history.
The Fosu family, DL FM, and the Creative Arts Agency have called on the public to participate peacefully in all upcoming events and to honour Daddy Lumba’s memory by continuing to promote and preserve Ghanaian highlife music.
