Thousands of music lovers, dignitaries, and mourners converged on Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday to pay their final respects to Ghana’s legendary highlife musician Charles Kwadwo Fosu, better known as Daddy Lumba. The sprawling venue was transformed into a vibrant tribute ground for a farewell that reflected both deep grief and heartfelt celebration of a cultural icon’s life and legacy.
Despite months of legal uncertainty over burial arrangements that briefly stalled proceedings, the funeral went ahead as scheduled, drawing a sea of supporters from across the country and beyond.
From the early hours, the stadium’s grounds were alive with colour and reverence. Vendors lined the entrance roads selling T-shirts, caps, posters, and printed programmes embossed with Daddy Lumba’s image and lyrics, underscoring the powerful connection between the artist and his fans. Classic highlife rhythms, many of his own timeless hits—filled the air as mourners sang along, creating a poignant harmony that blended grief with the joy of remembrance.
Among those in attendance were wide-ranging figures from Ghana’s political and cultural landscape. Senior party officials such as NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene, and community elder Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu stood with businessman Osei Kwame Despite and Akwasi Sarpong to honour the late star’s memory.
Emotions ran deep throughout the occasion. Daddy Lumba’s wife, Odo Broni, was visibly overcome with sadness, drawing comfort from nearby family members and supporters. Colleagues from the music fraternity also brought tributes to life: Nana Acheampong, a contemporary and collaborator of Lumba’s, performed the first song he composed with the late legend—a moving moment that evoked both nostalgia and profound respect.
Heavy rains did little to dampen the celebratory spirit that permeated the event. Fans who braved downpours danced, sang, and embraced each other in solidarity—a reflection of the deep bond between Daddy Lumba and his audience. Amid logistical challenges caused by the weather, the mood remained upbeat and resilient, a testament to the joy that Lumba’s music infused into generations of Ghanaians.
The funeral came against the backdrop of years of legal contention over burial authority, but with court orders clarified and disputes resolved, the service proceeded with dignity and national attention. The massive turnout and emotional resonance of the farewell underscored Daddy Lumba’s enduring influence on Ghanaian culture, highlife music, and national identity.
