Legendary Highlife Musician Daddy Lumba Dies at 60

By Mavis Emefa Goka / July 27, 2025

Ghana is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic musical legends, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away Saturday at the Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness. He was 60.

News of his passing was confirmed by a statement from the Fosu family, issued through their legal representatives, Baba Jamal & Associates. 

The family has requested privacy as funeral arrangements are made.
Daddy Lumba was widely considered a pioneer and powerhouse of modern Ghanaian highlife music. 

With a career spanning more than three decades, he released over 30 albums, many of which dominated airwaves and earned him national and international acclaims.

Born on September 29, 1964, in Nsuta, Ashanti Region, Daddy Lumba’s early exposure to music came while attending Juaben Senior High School, where he formed his first musical group. After relocating to Germany in the 1980s, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong. Together, they formed the Lumba Brothers, releasing their debut album, Yɛɛyɛ Aka Akwantuo Mu, in 1989.

From there, Lumba launched a solo career that reshaped the landscape of Ghanaian highlife, fusing traditional rhythms with modern sounds and controversial but catchy lyrics.

Daddy Lumba was known for his unmistakable voice, emotionally resonating lyrics, and flamboyant style. His songs often touched on themes of love, betrayal, personal triumph, and societal issues.
Some of his most celebrated songs include:

“Aben Wo Ha” – A provocative classic that became a generational anthem.

“Yentie Obiaa” – A defiant, widely-quoted hit about living life on one’s own terms.

“Playboy” – A melodic tale of love and heartbreak.

“Theresa” – A romantic ballad still beloved at weddings and celebrations.

“Sika Asem”, “Dangerous,” and “Menya Mpo” — All radio staples that showcased his versatility.

Lumba's collaborations with artists like Ofori Amponsah and Borax further expanded his reach and influence, blending highlife with contemporary sounds. He won multiple Ghana Music Awards, received national honors, and remained relevant.

Despite his fame, Daddy Lumba was known for guarding his private life. He rarely gave interviews and kept his family and personal matters out of the public eye. He was also a philanthropist, known to quietly support the underprivileged, particularly in the Ashanti Region.

Following the announcement of his death, tributes have poured in from musicians and fans across the world.
As fans flood social media with lyrics and memories, the loss of Daddy Lumba marks the end of an era in Ghanaian music. 

His influence will continue to shape highlife and modern Ghanaian sound for generations to come.
Funeral details will be announced by the family in the coming days.