Daddy Lumba’s Life and Career

Charles Kwadwo Fosu was born on September 29, 1964, in Nsuta, a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. His parents were both teachers. From a young age, always had a taste for music, he showed that by singing in school choirs and forming his own bands with friends.
As he got older, he decided to move to Germany and pursue his music career. That’s where he met Nana Acheampong, another popular Highlife sensation in Ghana, and they started making music together.
Together they came named their style “Borga Highlife”, a new sound at the time which mixed traditional Ghanaian highlife music with modern styles.
Borga Highlife created the unique sound that helped them launch their career into the sensations they are today.
After he and his partner went their separate ways, Lumba started making music on his own and released a lot of albums - we're talking dozens - and over 200 songs. Some of his popular songs like "Theresa", "Aben Wo Ha", and "Sika Sem" talked about love, money, things happening in Ghana, and forgiving others, often singing in Twi and sometimes adding English and German words. He won many awards at the Ghana Music Awards, including being named Artist of the Year, and even got a big national honor, the Grand Medal, in 2024.
Daddy Lumba was a cultural icon who made music that people of all ages loved. When he passed away, big names like President John Mahama and other important leaders had some really nice things to say about him, with some even saying he might be the best Ghana has seen in the last 100 years.
His death really shook the Ghana music industry making artists like Sarkodie and King Promise take to social media to pour in their tributes.

Reactions to his Death & what caused it

On July 26, 2025, The news of Lumba’s passing had just been reported. Some claimed it was false news and others weren’t sure what to believe. It took DJ Andy Dosty, to tell everyone to wait for official news before jumping to conclusions. But by the afternoon, Lumba's family had confirmed that he had indeed passed away after a short illness in the hospital. They asked everyone to respect their privacy while they mourned their loss.
Reports of his death were that he died after a short illness and the cause of his death was not disclosed to the public.
The death of Lumba has sparked a lot of controversy, mainly about how he died and who gets to control his estate and funeral. His family, including his first wife Akosua Serwaa Fosuh and close relatives like his sister Ernestina Akosua Brempomaa, were upset because they feel they were not being told the whole truth. There are reports that an autopsy was done in secret, without their full consent or even their knowledge, which has led to demands for an independent investigation. Some people are even calling for a criminal probe into the matter. The family wants answers and they want to make sure that everything is done fairly and transparently.The situation is pretty messy, and it's not clear how it's all going to get sorted out.
But things got even more complicated when people found out how much money he had, reportedly millions, and that he didn't have a clear will in place. This made the conflicts around him even worse.

The Legal Battles, Funeral Saga & Resolution

There were plans for a big funeral in Kumasi, but things didn't go smoothly. Towards the end of 2025, the Abusuapanin said the funeral would happen in early December, with some events taking place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. But then, some close family members stepped in and tried to stop the funeral from happening by filing lawsuits. They wanted to prevent the funeral home and banks from using the funds set aside for the funeral. The situation got more complicated when a court in Kumasi - or maybe it was Accra, depending on who you ask - got involved in mid-December. The court temporarily put a hold on the funeral plans because some people felt they were being left out and there were disagreements about the autopsy.
Even with all the drama, the funeral was finally able to take place on December 13, 2025, in Kumasi, after some legal issues were resolved - an injunction was lifted because certain requirements, like financial guarantees, were not met.
Coverage from BBC Pidgin and local outlets described it as a burial "despite drama over who is the 'legal wife' and other controversies." One faction held rites, but underlying tensions persisted, with some calling the process undignified or incomplete.

The Lingering Questions surrounding His Legacy

By 2026, Daddy Lumba had passed away, but for a lot of his fans, there are still some unanswered questions about what happened to him. The people in charge don't seem to be sharing much information about how he died, and his family wants to keep the details about his health private. Even though there are some organizations collecting donations and trying to honor his memory, there's been some disagreement about how the money is being handled.
Ghana has largely moved to celebrate his contributions. Tributes in Parliament, airplay of classics, and discussions of his influence on highlife’s evolution keep his voice alive. Young artists credit him with inspiring careers, and his catalog sees renewed streams. Proposals for posthumous honors or a national memorial reflect his stature.
Daddy Lumba is a sad reminder that even the most iconic figures are still human and can get caught up in everyday problems. But his music is something that will always be remembered. His impact on the music scene will never be forgotten. As people in Ghana are saying to pay their respects, even though his music has stopped, the legacy he left behind will live on. Rest in peace, Daddy Lumba.