Farewell to a Legend: Daddy Lumba’s Final Funeral Rites Set for December 6, 2025

Ghana will soon bid farewell to one of its greatest musical icons. The final funeral rites of celebrated highlife legend Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, have been scheduled for December 6, 2025, at the Baba Yara sports stadium in Kumasi. The announcement has stirred a wave of emotion across the country, as fans, fellow musicians, and admirers prepare to celebrate a man whose voice defined an era and whose music became the soundtrack of countless Ghanaian lives.

A Life in Melody and Meaning

Few names in Ghanaian music command the reverence that Daddy Lumba does. From the late 1980s through the 2000s, his songs dominated the airwaves, parties, and hearts of Ghanaians both at home and abroad. With his distinctive blend of lyrical storytelling, emotional depth, and rhythmic mastery, Lumba carved out a unique niche that transcended generations.

Daddy Lumba’s journey from a young choir boy to a continental superstar is the story of determination and divine talent. His early collaborations with Nana Acheampong under the Lumba Brothers set the foundation for a solo career that would later revolutionise modern highlife music.

The Voice of a Generation

Lumba’s music was never just about entertainment; it was about life itself, love, betrayal, faith, success, and struggle. His timeless hits, such as Theresa, Aben Wo Ha, Sika Asem, Yentie Obiaa, and Asee Ho, remain evergreen anthems that resonate across social classes and age groups.

His songs captured the realities of everyday Ghanaian life with poetic honesty, weaving wisdom, humour, and provocation into lyrics that sparked conversation and reflection. Through music, Daddy Lumba became not only a performer but a philosopher, a mirror of Ghanaian society.

A Controversial Genius

No discussion of Daddy Lumba is complete without acknowledging his fearless artistic expression. He was bold, unpredictable, and sometimes controversial, unafraid to tackle sensitive social and political themes or to challenge norms through his lyrics and style. His flamboyant persona and charisma kept audiences fascinated, while his deep spiritual undertones revealed a man constantly reflecting on life and purpose.

Despite occasional criticism, Lumba remained authentic a quality that endeared him to millions. His ability to reinvent his sound while staying true to his roots made him a timeless figure in Ghana’s entertainment history.

The Legacy Beyond the Music

Beyond the stage, Daddy Lumba inspired a generation of artists, including Ofori Amponsah, Kofi Nti, Kwabena Kwabena, and many others who cite him as a mentor and influence. His fusion of traditional highlife with modern instrumentation paved the way for today’s Afro-highlife and contemporary Ghanaian sounds.

His enduring impact can be heard not only in the music industry but also in the cultural identity of Ghana itself where his songs continue to accompany weddings, political campaigns, and social gatherings.

A Nation in Mourning, A Legacy in Celebration

As preparations for the December 6 funeral intensify, tributes continue to pour in from across the world. Music lovers, dignitaries, and fellow musicians have all expressed admiration for a man who gave everything to his art and to his country’s culture.

The ceremony, expected to draw thousands, will not only mark the end of an era but also serve as a celebration of an extraordinary life, a life that shaped Ghanaian music for more than three decades.

The Final Bow

As Ghana prepares to bid its final farewell, Daddy Lumba’s music continues to play in homes, cars, and hearts across the nation. Though his physical presence may fade, his melodies remain eternal, echoing through time as a reminder that legends never truly die.

Farewell, Charles Kwadwo Fosu – Daddy Lumba.
Your music will live forever.