“Daddy Lumba is my second greatest Ghanaian after Kwame Nkrumah” – Sports Journalist, Bright Kankam Boadu
Sports Journalist, Bright Kankam Boadu has declared Daddy Lumba as his second greatest Ghanaian after Kwame Nkrumah.
The sudden passing of Charles Kwadwo Fosu, known affectionately as Daddy Lumba, at age 60 sent shockwaves across Ghana. He died at Bank Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
His death triggered a flood of tributes from fans, musicians, political leaders, and institutions, lamenting the loss of one of Ghana’s greatest cultural icons.
President John Dramani Mahama led the official tributes, noting: “Lumba’s unmatched musical genius provided the soundtrack to our lives, his enduring legacy will echo through the ages
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and both major political parties described his passing as a national loss and reaffirmed his unrivalled impact on Ghana’s music and culture.
Bright’s personal reflection situates Daddy Lumba in extraordinary company. By naming Kwame Nkrumah as the greatest Ghanaian, a founding father, pan-African icon, and national liberator, Bright places Daddy Lumba just behind him in significance. That ranking speaks volumes about how many Ghanaians view Lumba, not merely as a musician, but as a moral and cultural titan who shaped the national consciousness.
Lumba’s career spanned almost four decades, with over 30 albums and more than 200 songs touching on love, loss, society, and identity. His influence extended from local storytelling to global resonance.
He helped popularize Burger Highlife, a fusion of Ghanaian rhythms and Western styles developed during his time in Germany alongside Nana Acheampong. This innovation helped elevate Highlife into a modern era.
Since his death, Daddy Lumba’s songs have dominated streaming platforms nationwide. On Apple Music Ghana, 30 of his songs entered the Top 100, with “Makra Mo” at No. 1 and hits like “Ankwanoma”, “Sika“, “Mpempem Do Me” all charting.
