The Ghanaian and broader West African music community will soon bid farewell to one of its most influential figures as the final funeral rites for legendary highlife musician Charles Kojo Fosu, globally recognized as Daddy Lumba, are set for Saturday, 6 December 2025. The ceremony will take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Ashanti Region—an epicenter of Lumba’s artistry and the city closely tied to his roots.
Daddy Lumba, whose real name is Charles Kojo Fosu, passed away at age sixty-one following a brief illness. His remarkable contributions to the highlife genre spanned more than thirty years, shaping the soundscape not just in Ghana but across West Africa and in communities worldwide where highlife music resonates. Renowned for his unique voice, emotional lyrics, and exceptional ability to address social issues through song, Daddy Lumba’s music has served as an enduring cultural touchstone from Lagos to Accra to the global diaspora.
According to a formal statement from the Fosu family, released on Saturday, 26 July 2025, the artist’s passing was peaceful and followed a short illness. The family staged a one-week remembrance on Saturday, 30 August 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra—an event marked by an outpouring of grief and tribute. Thousands of fans, mourners, musicians, and dignitaries from the West African region gathered to commemorate a man whose influence rippled far beyond the borders of Ghana.
The one-week observance drew crowds representing the breadth of Ghana’s creative scene, alongside politicians, actors, and artists from neighboring countries. The sheer scale of turnout underscored both his towering presence in highlife and his cross-generational appeal. According to Mrs. Rita Akosua Asante, a music archivist based in Lagos, “Daddy Lumba’s impact can be felt in the lyrics and rhythms of many contemporary Afrobeats and highlife artists in Nigeria—his sound bridged Ghana and Nigeria and created cultural unity.”
Preparations are now in full swing for what many expect to be a fittingly grand and deeply emotional send-off in Kumasi—a city often regarded as the birthplace of Lumba’s star. Family spokesperson Kofi Fosu indicated in an interview with local media that the December funeral is not only a tribute to the man but to an enduring catalogue of music that lifted, critiqued, and consoled millions. “This will be more than just a funeral,” Fosu said. “It’ll be a celebration of the decades of music that left a permanent mark on African pop culture.”
For Nigerians and Afrobeats enthusiasts across the continent, Daddy Lumba’s passing marks the end of an era, but his influence will live on. Many Nigerian musicians have spoken about the similarities between highlife and their homegrown sounds—artists like Flavour, Victor AD, and Adekunle Gold have cited Ghanaian highlife musicians as inspirations. This interconnectedness is a testament to the cross-pollination of talent and spirit in West Africa’s music scene.
Local perspectives also highlight the links between Ghanaian and Nigerian music. Lagos-based music historian, Segun Oladipo, explained, “Without highlife and pioneers like Lumba, our own genres would sound very different. He taught younger artists to blend tradition and innovation.”
Despite the outpouring of respect, the funeral planning process is not without its hurdles. According to Kumasi-based event organizer Abena Mensah, managing crowd expectations and security for the December rites will be challenging: “People are flying in not only from across Ghana but also Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Europe. The pressure is on to uphold his legacy respectfully,” she revealed.
This immense turnout reflects a broader trend—the increasing recognition and celebration of West African cultural icons on a global stage. In recent years, high-profile funerals for top artists have become major moments for both commemoration and reflection on the region’s social fabric. From Nigerian legend Victor Uwaifo to Sierra Leone’s S.E. Rogie, the tribute to Daddy Lumba aligns with efforts to honor and archive African music history.
Looking beyond the funeral, the conversation has shifted to the necessity of preserving, archiving, and studying the works of pioneering African musicians. As Professor Nnenna Asuzu, an expert in African contemporary music at the University of Nigeria, stated, “What we do now to document and celebrate these legends will shape how our children experience African identity and music.”
With his funeral set at a landmark stadium and thousands expected to attend, Daddy Lumba’s final journey reflects not only a personal loss for the Fosu family, but a collective moment for the African entertainment community. Fans from Port Harcourt to Kumasi, and around the world, are urged to reflect on the healing, unifying power of music and the role cultural icons play in shaping our shared narrative.
The December farewell will be closely watched and deeply felt, especially as conversations continue about how best to honor the musical forebears whose works have paved the way for today’s hits. Already, tributes have poured in from across Africa, reminding us that Daddy Lumba’s legacy of storytelling and song endures through the artists he inspired and the fans who sing along.
How do you think the music of Daddy Lumba and his peers has influenced Nigerian and West African contemporary sounds? What are your favorite songs or memories of highlife music? Drop a comment and join the conversation—your voice matters in keeping this heritage alive!
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