Apostle Kantanka, Daddy Lumba, and Dada KD are among those who died in 2025
Despite the growth, the achievements, the milestones and the discoveries, it has also been a rather grim year for the Ghanaian creative industry.
With the loss of some prominent creative players, the year was a melancholic time for the industry.
GhanaWeb, in reflecting on the year in retrospect, looks at a list of 5 Ghanaian creatives who were unfortunately lost in 2025.
1. Dada KD – Ghanaian Highlife maestro Dada Kweku Duah or Dada KD died on May 16, 2025, in Accra, at the Gbawe SDA hospital.
He died at the age of 56 after a short illness, according to reports.
Known for connecting lovers with his soulful lyrics and songs like “Fatia fata Nkrumah,” “Odo mu anigye,” and many others, Dada KD earned multiple accolades, including Best Male Vocalist at the 2004 Ghana Music Awards UK.
His legacy as a gifted vocalist and composer will continue to inspire generations of musicians.
2. Daddy Lumba – Charles Kwadwo Fosu also known as Daddy Lumba was one of the pioneers of Ghanaian Highlife music.
He unfortunately passed on the July 26, 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Accra, after battling undisclosed health complications for years.
For over four decades, Daddy Lumba received many accolades, including Artiste of the Year at the 1999 and 2000 Ghana Music Awards.
His legacy continues to inspire generations of music lovers.
3. Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka – Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka was a pastor and businessman who passed on the September 11, 2025.
He founded the Kantanka Automobile, a Ghana-based automotive company, and the Kristo Asafo Mission, a religious and industrial organization.
Safo is known for his contributions to local manufacturing and technological innovation in Ghana, particularly through vehicles like the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck, designed for African markets.
4. William Addo – Known popularly as Akpatse, he sadly passed on November 22, 2025, at age 72.
William had an industrious career as a producer, director and actor through which he got the name “Akpatse.”
Before his passing, William battled health issues, including blindness.
5. Aseibu Amanfi – Just when everyone thought news of deaths of people in the creatives had ceased for the year, the industry and Ghana as a whole received yet another grim news about the demise of another Highlife maestro, Aseibu Amanfi.
Aseibu Amanfi passed in the early hours of December 28th, 2025, after a brief illness.
With his soulful rhythms, Aseibu Amanfi impacted generations of music lovers and has written his name in the sands of time.
These souls may no longer be here, but their names and legacies cannot be erased from the sands of time and will continue to inspire generations.
PA/AE
Watch Ofori Amponsah discuss interesting issues surrounding Lumba’s death, career path on this episode of Talkertainment:
