The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged the public and media to respect the privacy of the family of the late highlife icon, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, as they grieve their loss.
The minister made this heartfelt appeal during a visit to the family home to express her condolences and to fulfill customary obligations following the celebrated musician’s passing.
She particularly extended her sympathies to the widow of the late artist, emphasising the importance of giving the family space and dignity in their time of mourning.
“This is a difficult time for the family, and we must all show compassion by respecting their privacy,” Gomashie stated.
“His passing is a huge loss to the creative community and to the nation.”
Gomashie praised the late musician’s exceptional talent and his enduring legacy within Ghana’s vibrant highlife music tradition, noting that his contributions significantly shaped the genre and influenced generations of musicians.
She also revealed that the Ministry had been in the process of planning a major highlife music festival in celebration of the genre—an event the late musician was expected to be part of.
“Losing him at such a time is heartbreaking,” she added. “We were planning something big that he would have been proud of and actively involved in.”
The festival was to coincide with Ghana’s efforts to have both highlife music and Kete officially recognized by UNESCO as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage.
As preparations for his final rites begin, the Ministry, alongside Ghana’s creative arts community, continues to honour the memory and musical legacy of Charles Kwadwo Fosu, a man whose voice and artistry touched the hearts of many.