By Daniel Bampoe
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has opened up about the profound personal and political relationship he shared with the late highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, as tributes continue to pour in following the musician’s death.
During a visit to the late artist’s East Legon residence on Friday, August 1, 2025, the former President expressed not only his grief but also a desire to be included in the plans for Lumba’s final send-off.
“It would truly hurt me if I am excluded from any arrangement or decision regarding his burial,” he said solemnly, highlighting the depth of their bond.
Akufo-Addo’s visit was marked by emotional reflections on the role Daddy Lumba played in both his personal life and political journey.
“Lumba was not just a national icon — he was my friend, a brother, and a pillar of emotional support during some of the most challenging times of my life,” he said.
He recalled how Daddy Lumba’s music became a source of strength during his arduous campaign trails, especially in remote parts of the country like Damongo.
“I would listen to his songs to lift my spirit. His lyrics gave me courage during moments of political uncertainty,” he noted.
Beyond personal inspiration, Daddy Lumba’s contributions to Akufo-Addo’s political rise were significant and strategic.
The legendary musician composed campaign songs for Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 elections—melodies that became anthems for the party’s base and electrified its nationwide rallies.
“His campaign songs were more than just music. They were unifying calls that helped communicate the NPP’s vision in a language the people understood and felt deeply,” Akufo-Addo stated, crediting Lumba with shaping the cultural heartbeat of the party’s grassroots mobilization.
Their relationship, he revealed, blossomed into a sincere friendship grounded in mutual admiration.
“We shared more than political ideals; we shared laughter, life lessons, and respect. I admired his humility just as much as I revered his genius.”
In a prior statement released shortly after Lumba’s passing, Akufo-Addo had eulogized the musician as “a pantheon among musical greats” and one of the most influential voices in Ghanaian history.
He added that Lumba’s legacy was “irreplaceable and deeply interwoven with Ghana’s cultural identity.”
“His music transcended class, region, and age. From the ordinary trader in Makola to the diplomat in Geneva, Lumba’s voice was the soundtrack of our lives,” the former President emphasized.
Concluding his tribute, Akufo-Addo prayed, “May he rest peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty until the Resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”
