As tributes continue to pour in for Ghanaian highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on the public and media to respect the family’s grief and uphold their privacy during this time of national mourning.
The Minister made the appeal during a visit to the musician’s residence, where she extended her condolences to the widow and relatives of the late musician. “This is a difficult time for the family, and we must all show compassion by respecting their privacy,” Gomashie said. “His passing is a huge loss to the creative community and to the nation.”
Reflecting on Daddy Lumba’s legendary influence, Gomashie praised his unmatched contributions to Ghana’s cultural landscape. She described him as an extraordinary artist whose legacy helped define the golden age of highlife music and continues to inspire generations of musicians. “His passing is a huge loss to the creative community and to the nation,” she reiterated.
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Gomashie also disclosed that Daddy Lumba had been slated to play a key role in a major highlife music festival being developed by the Ministry. The festival, designed to celebrate Ghana’s rich musical heritage, was intended as a major cultural event. “Losing him at such a time is heartbreaking,” she noted. “We were planning something big that he would have been proud of and actively involved in.”
The proposed festival is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry to secure UNESCO recognition for both highlife music and Kete as elements of Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage, a step aimed at safeguarding and honouring the nation’s traditional arts.
With funeral arrangements underway, Gomashie affirmed the Ministry’s dedication to preserving Daddy Lumba’s legacy and supporting his bereaved family. She assured that the creative arts fraternity would continue to honour the memory of Charles Kojo Fosu, whose voice and storytelling left an indelible mark on Ghanaian music.
Daddy Lumba died on July 26, 2025, at the age of 60. News of his death has sparked an outpouring of grief, with fans, musicians, and national leaders paying tribute to his immense cultural contribution.
