Loved and admired by many for his thrilling and profound lyrics, the death of highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, was a major blow to his fans both locally and internationally.

As a result, his one-week observance was nothing short of a national mourning, drawing scores of mourners—including politicians, former and current statesmen, fellow musicians, actors, and other celebrities—who came to pay their respects to Lumba’s legacy.

Among these statesmen were former President Nana Akufo-Addo, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, former Chief of Staff Frema Osei-Opare, and current Majority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

Among the music legends and celebrities present were Amakye Dede, Sarkodie with his wife Tracy, Pat Thomas, Kofi Nti, Kay Bless, Oheneba Kissi, and Kojo Antwi, all of whom came to honour the icon.

The ceremony featured heartfelt tributes and generous donations from notable personalities to assist with funeral and burial arrangements for the music legend.

See the list of donations from some statesmen and former government officials below:

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo – GH¢100,000

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – GH¢50,000

Ghana Police Service – GH¢30,000

Kennedy Agyapong – GH¢10,000

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh – GH¢5,000

Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change – GH¢5,000

These were in addition to other donations given at the ceremony.

In Ghana, donations or contributions at funerals are deeply rooted in culture, often referred to as “nsawa” or “ayɛdeɛ.” While nsawa is mostly given at funerals to support the families of the deceased, it is also regarded as a reflection of the impact the deceased had on the lives of the donors.

It is often believed that the greater the donations, the greater the impact the deceased has had on the lives of the donors.

The official program began at around 10:15 AM with a prayer led by Prophet Amoako Atta of Parliament Chapel, asking for God’s guidance over the day’s activities.

The ceremony then unfolded with a solemn yet celebratory tone.

Since the news of his passing, scores of Ghanaians have poured in tributes to honour his memory and the legacy he leaves behind.

A book of condolence was been opened in honour of the late highlife legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, the family of the musician has announced.

In an official statement issued on July 27 by his lawyers, Baba Jamal & Associates, on behalf of the bereaved family, the family invited all well-wishers, friends, fans, and family to sign the condolence book, which will be available at Daddy Lumba's private residence in East Legon.

He died at 60 leaving behind thirty-three (33) albums to his name.

He is celebrated as one of Ghana’s greatest Highlife musicians with a career spanning more than three decades.

Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Centre.

At the celebration, a long-time friend and former manager of the late highlife legend suggested that the persona of his old friend as a musician be studied, stating that he is an institution worth emulating.

Mr Ernest Toah Akonor made these recommendations during a media engagement on the sidelines of Lumba's one-week observation held at Independence Square on Saturday, August 30.

Even as a former manager and close friend, he expressed his shock at how coded and profound some of Lumba’s lyrics are. Referring to excerpts from one of his songs, “Obi Ate Me So Buo,” which translates as “someone has devalued me” or “reduced my value,” he noted that many people sang it differently, with an interpretation suggesting that a stone had been thrown at them.

"I said it before somewhere that the man is a moving institution. Okay. People must study his music. As of today, we're now beginning to understand some of the lyrics he wrote.

"Even today, I found out one which everybody sings differently. For example, one song people don't understand. It is not....Another one. ....There are two things. So that's the difference.

"I've told you that he is an institution. So we must have some kind of a museum or something where his works can be showcased and get value for them for generations...", Mr Akonnor mentioned.

Despite having thirty-three albums to his name before his passing, the Ghanaian highlife legend, according to his former manager, Ernest Toah Akonor, still has songs that were never released.

Mr. Akonor hinted that these songs could be released on his birthday this month, September 29, which would have been his 61st.

According to the former manager and old friend of Lumba, despite having several unreleased tracks, about six of them were fully worked on and mastered, while the others were still in the works.

"...But before he passed, he had done six songs that were complete, and I know where they are. We should be expecting it maybe on his birthday, which would have been his 61st on September 29. So maybe that will be when the first song will be released,” Akonor disclosed.

Despite the hint of a release of one of these songs on his birthday, Mr. Akonor, however, noted that it would not be an easy process given the current misunderstanding and tensions within the family of the late musician.

"Well, this is, I thought, it has legal implications because we need to deal with families and children. So we have to go through that legal list before we can come out and say that we are releasing. But we wish that by that time we'll be able to go through all that because already there's too much tension, as you can see.