President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simon, has paid glowing tribute to the late highlife legend Charles Kojo Fosu, known widely as Daddy Lumba, describing him as an irreplaceable figure in Ghana’s musical history.
Speaking on The Chat special edition at the candlelight vigil held in honour of the iconic musician, Bessa Simons said Daddy Lumba’s influence on Ghanaian music is so profound that the country’s musical history cannot be fully told without his contributions.
“You cannot write Ghana’s history when it comes to music without Daddy Lumba,” Simons said. “After ‘Eko Te Brofo’ by George Darko, highlife was something else. But they [Lumba and his contemporaries] came in with a new brand of Ghanaian music and highlife, where the beat is funky but still highlife. His style was so good to be true, and the whole generation at that time took his part in the highlife.”
Simon praised Lumba for his innovation, lyrical depth, and cultural impact, noting that his music resonated deeply with Ghanaians across different generations.
“Lumba put things together that a whole generation took to because he was speaking to us, advising us, and making us happy,” he added.
The vigil, attended by leading figures in the entertainment industry, family members, and fans, marked a solemn celebration of the life and legacy of the man many regard as one of Ghana’s greatest musical icons.
Lumba’s passing has triggered a wave of tributes across the country, with calls growing for a national recognition of his impact, including proposals for a music hall of fame and posthumous honours.