President John Dramani Mahama has been described as a devoted admirer of the late highlife music legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
The tribute was delivered by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah during a visit by the musician’s family to the Jubilee House on Monday to officially inform the presidency of Lumba’s death.
Mr Debrah said the President had a deep personal connection to the artist’s music, often singing along to his songs while travelling.
"The President loved Daddy Lumba’s songs. When he sits in his car and sings along, you’d be amazed — so this is a great loss to us all," he said.
He added: “I can’t sing like that, so you can see there was a special connection.”
Mr Debrah said Lumba’s music resonated deeply with Ghanaians, offering both comfort and celebration during life’s most emotional moments.“His songs touched all of us — whether we were sad or happy, Daddy Lumba made a lasting impact,” he said.
He described the singer’s death as a national tragedy and called for his legacy to be appropriately honoured.
“If money could save a life, we would have found a way. This is not just a loss for the family but for the entire nation.”
The government, he said, would support the bereaved family as they make arrangements to celebrate the musician’s life and contributions.
Daddy Lumba passed away in July at The Bank Hospital in Accra. Born on 29 September 1964, he rose to fame in the 1980s and released over 30 albums during a career spanning more than four decades.
He was widely recognised for hits such as Aben Wo Ha, Theresa, Yentie Obiaa, and Playboy.
Starting his career as part of the Lumba Brothers duo alongside Nana Acheampong, Daddy Lumba went on to become one of Ghana’s most beloved solo artists, cementing his place as a cultural icon and a trailblazer in highlife music.
His influence extended beyond music, shaping generations of Ghanaian artists and endearing him to fans across the world.
