Ghana’s music fraternity has been hit with a wave of sorrow following the passing of celebrated highlife legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba. The iconic singer died in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness. He was 60.
According to close sources, the musician had been receiving treatment at the facility for an undisclosed medical condition. By midday, mourners had begun gathering at his residence in East Legon to pay their respects, with the atmosphere heavy with grief and disbelief.
An official statement issued by the Fosu family through their legal representative confirmed the heartbreaking news. “With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba,” the statement, signed by Fati Ali Yallah of Baba Jamal & Associates, said.
“Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience,” it continued.
The family has appealed for privacy during this difficult period and noted that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
A Musical Journey That Defined Generations
Born on September 29, 1964, in Nsuta near Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Daddy Lumba’s journey into music began at a young age. At 16, he led the choir at Juaben Secondary School in 1983, showcasing his early gift for music.
After school, he formed the Lumba Brothers music group with friends Yaw, Kwabena, and his then-girlfriend, Theresa Abebrese. With Theresa’s support, he moved to Germany in search of opportunities and met fellow Ghanaian musician Ernest Nana Acheampong.
It was Nana Acheampong who introduced him to highlife music, steering him from gospel into a genre that would define his legacy. Together, they re-established the Lumba Brothers brand and burst onto the music scene with their debut hit Yɛɛyɛ Aka Akwantuo Mu.
Over the years, Daddy Lumba carved a name for himself as one of the most prolific and influential figures in Ghanaian music history. With more than 30 albums to his credit, he blended catchy rhythms with lyrics that spoke to both heartache and hope, creating timeless hits that spanned generations.
As the nation mourns the loss of a true musical pioneer, tributes continue to pour in from fans, fellow musicians, and cultural institutions, all united in celebrating the life and legacy of a man whose music will live on forever.
