A large crowd of mourners, music enthusiasts, traditional leaders and prominent figures gathered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium early this morning as the final funeral rites of highlife icon Charles Kwadwo Fosu, widely known as Daddy Lumba, got underway.
Today’s ceremony comes after months of legal wrangling that at one point threatened to derail the event. A High Court injunction briefly stalled funeral preparations, as interlocutory orders and disagreements within the musician’s family over burial rights dominated public discussion.
By daybreak, the stadium had been converted into a powerful space of remembrance. Vendors lined the approach to the venue, selling memorabilia including T-shirts printed with Daddy Lumba’s image, caps and funeral programmes that reflected his lasting contribution to Ghana’s cultural landscape.
Classic highlife melodies—many of them Daddy Lumba’s own songs—echoed through the grounds, setting an emotional tone. Mourners clutched songbooks and quietly sang along to his timeless tunes, blending sorrow with celebration.
The mood across the stadium was contemplative yet uplifting. Older fans shed tears as younger attendees danced gently to the music, a vivid reminder of the artist’s influence across generations.
A solemn moment followed as a carriage bearing the casket of the late musician arrived. Most mourners were dressed in subdued traditional funeral attire, while others wore bandanas and accessories emblazoned with Daddy Lumba’s image.
Among the notable personalities present were NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene, and family head Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu. Emotional scenes unfolded when Nana Acheampong, visibly moved, performed the very first song he co-wrote with Daddy Lumba.
Inside the stands, relatives, friends and fans shared memories of how Lumba’s music shaped their lives—providing soundtracks to love, loss, celebration and everyday moments. Grief, nostalgia and deep appreciation filled the atmosphere throughout the arena.
The public funeral marks the climax of events that followed an Accra High Court decision to briefly suspend arrangements due to a dispute involving sections of the extended family and the recognised family head. However, after required conditions were not met and court orders were adjusted, authorities confirmed that the funeral would proceed as planned.