Monday, 28th July, 2025
Hon Adelaide Ntim
Nsuta/Kwaman Beposo
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the matter of deep national grief: the passing of one Ghanaian most iconic and influential musician, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, widely known as Daddy Lumba.
Mr Speaker, Daddy Lumba was born in Nsuta Ekuo in the Sekyere Central District, representing the Nsuta/Kwaman Beposo Constituency of the Ashanti Region. His musical journey began modestly starting with the participation in school and church choirs. It later took him to Germany, where he teamed up with Nana Acheampong to release the groundbreaking track, Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom, a song that launched a career lasting over three decades.
Mr Speaker, Daddy Lumba was more than a singer. He was a cultural icon and his music spanned generations, touching on themes of love, life, hardship, and celebration. He voiced the everyday experiences of Ghanaians, becoming a household name across the country and beyond. His contributions to the music industry of Ghana are invaluable. He was a pioneer of high-life and hip-life genres, mentoring many prominent artists. His sound evolved, yet his authenticity always remained intact.
Mr Speaker, on behalf of the bereaved and the people of Nsuta/ Kwaman Beposo Constituency, the entire Sekyere Central District, especially the paramount Chief of the Nsuta Traditional Area, Nana Asamoah Gyamfi Sekyere II, I call upon this House and the nation to mourn with us. Ghana has lost a legend, but his legacy endures. I humbly appeal to this honourable House and the Government to consider awarding national honours, including a state-assisted funeral and establishing initiatives to preserve and promote his musical legacy.
Mr Speaker, as we mourn, we also celebrate a life that touched millions. Let us remember Charles Kwadwo Fosu not just with tears, but with pride for the gift he was to our nation. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Damirifa due, Kwadwo.
I am grateful, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank you.
Hon Isaac Boamah-Nyarko
Effia
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to comment on the Statements ably made by my two Colleagues, eulogising Ghana’s most influential musical legend in recent history, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
Mr Speaker, the news of the sudden demise of Daddy Lumba came to many as a surprise, taking into consideration the fact that, most recently, he celebrated his 60th birthday and very little would one have considered that he would pass on to the next world. As has been indicated by the makers of the Statement, the musical contribution of Daddy Lumba spanned about four decades, which means that Daddy Lumba launched himself into Ghana’s music space at a very early age of about 20 years or thereabout.
The music that Daddy Lumba produced or sang across these years portrayed him as one with a lot of depth in terms of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in promoting Ghana’s rich cultural history. When we heard of the first song, Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom, with Nana Acheampong, those of us who were then in our primary school to secondary school days realised that this was a song that we could really relate to.
But Mr Speaker, one song that I fondly remember Daddy Lumba of, and this House has to take particular notice of, is his song, Ye Ne Wo Sere Kwa. Mr Speaker, I do not know if you have heard it before. [The Hon Member sang Daddy Lumba’s Yɛ Ne Wo Sre Kwa.] Mr Speaker, to wit, the Majority is always laughing with the Minority, but we are unable to appreciate the love and the bond that we have to stay in this House together With the demise of Daddy Lumba, I want to urge this House to remember him with this song that we have to unite as a House and as a country. We should deal with ourselves in honesty and not in betrayal.
Mr Speaker, with that said, I want to pay a glowing tribute to Mr Charles Kwadwo Fosu for his contribution to music in this country and as has been proposed, I believe that the state ought to give him the needed honours and a befitting funeral, so that subsequent generations and the musical talents that are unfolding would also learn from the lessons that Daddy Lumba has given us.
Mr Speaker, with this, I want to thank the makers of the Statement for what they have done in remembering Charles Kwadwo Fosu, our darling Daddy Lumba.
Hon Theresa Lardi Awuni
Okaikwei North
Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the makers of the Statement in commemoration of the demise of the legend, Daddy Lumba.
His music is not only played at parties or weddings, but it is a message to the entire nation: a message of hope and unity. One of his popular songs that is always played in my constituency, is Theresa— Mr Speaker, his demise is a big blow to my constituency and I join the people of Okaikwei North to mourn with the family. [The Hon Member sang Daddy Lumba’s Theresa.]
Mr Speaker, I join the people of Okaikwei North and Ghana at large to mourn the demise of a legend. When one attends any occasion in Okaikwei North, provided I am present, they welcome me with the song Theresa, be it at funerals or at outdoorings. This music has brought a lot of hope to so many Ghanaians. I pray that like the Hon Member said, we should not just smile towards each other, but let us mean our words. Let us show each other love. When this Side brings Business to the House, genuinely join us to do it—
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Matthew Nyindam
Kpandai
Mr Speaker, today is a very sad day. A man I so love and cherish is no more. I extend my condolences to the family, the nation and the music industry.
Mr Speaker, Daddy Lumba never dies because in the music industry, the songs of Daddy Lumba will stay forever and ever. I am very sure and I will not be afraid to say that if we take the country as a whole, everyone will, at least, like one or two, of Daddy Lumba’s music and I can see it from the faces of my Colleagues. If you are sad, just play Daddy Lumba’s music and you will be fine. If you are quarrelling with your wife, just play Daddy Lumba’s music and you will be fine. Even if you want to do galamsey, play Daddy Lumba’s music and you will be encouraged.
Mr Speaker, the man is a legend. If one has a problem with his wife, he should just play, Medo Wasem Bebree and your wife is good to go. [The Hon Member sang Daddy Lumba’s Tokrom.] Mr Speaker, this is for the galamsey people, so that they know where to harvest. Mr Speaker, if one is a young man and they want to make it in life, they should listen to Daddy Lumba’s music. If they play his music, they would be good to go. Although he is no more, let us learn through his music and try as much as possible, to pick from the words. Just as others have said, we are in this House together; when we are laughing, let us express genuine love. Let us do it together. We should not pretend because we do not know when. It could be tomorrow or a day after.
Mr Speaker, I want to thank you and encourage you; I know you are a Daddy Lumba fan because by looking at your face, I can see one or two of his music on your face— When you get home, try and listen to one or two of his music and I am sure that you will be fine because ayɛ huhuuhu. Sometimes, when you sit there, you can be—
Mr Speaker, you understand what I mean. On that note, I would like to thank you for the opportunity and, once again, I want to express my condolences to the family. Like one of the Statements said, we should treat him as a legend. As a nation, let us see how we can give him a befitting burial. This is so important because people like Daddy Lumba, we cannot get much of them. Let us see how, as a state or a nation, we can eulogise our heroes.
Hon Ohene Kwame Frimpong
Asante Akim North
Very well, Mr Speaker. To wit, Daddy Lumba is a great musician. He has sold Ghana across the borders of the world. As a musician from Ghana, I believe that Daddy Lumba has actually made Ghana a musical hub where a lot of Ghanaians connect. Mr Speaker, I will summarise it and say that Daddy Lumba is a great musician. He has connected Ghana to the world. So, I pray that the government of today helps the family to have a befitting burial for him and help musicians in Ghana to protect their intellectual property. Mr Speaker, I will end it here and I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity. Thank you very much.
Hon Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh
Bosome Freho
hank you. Mr Speaker, I would want to join the Member of Parliament (MP) from Daddy Lumba’s home constituency, Hon Adelaide Ntim, and the MP from Manhyia North, for the Statement they have made today on the Floor.
Mr Speaker, it is with a great heart and deep sorrow that I want to join the teeming Ghanaians who are today mourning the passage of the legend, the icon, the star of Ghana, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, a.k.a. Daddy Lumba. Mr Speaker, in fact, I am one of the members of the fan club of Daddy Lumba, and my favourite song of all time, Mr Speaker, if you permit me, I would want to take a few lines. [The Hon Member sang a portion of Daddy Lumba’s Sԑ Wotan me a.]
Mr Speaker, to wit, if I have not done any wrong to you, I have not offended you in any way, I have not wronged you, and you hate me, then you are lying. Mr Speaker, the track goes on to even say how he is fortified in the word of God.
Mr Speaker, this is the man we are celebrating today. As a young party boy, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) young man who was fan of the party, Mr Speaker, one of his major campaign songs [The Hon Member sang a portion of Daddy Lumba’s Nana Winner.] Mr Speaker, where one would even enjoy that one most is where he goes Hey na ɔsono eh, Hey na ɔsono eh, kukrudu NPP. This is the man Ghana is mourning today; it is very sad. Mr Speaker, we have a number of stars that are no longer with us today. Quite recently, KKD also passed on— Dada KD, Nana Kwakye Duah yes. Mr Speaker, I said KKD, forgive me, it is Dada KD. Mr Speaker, I think that the family of Daddy Lumba should allow the state to give him a befitting state burial, because he has outlived the confines of his family. He is a national asset.
Mr Speaker, I would crave their indulgence if they are listening to us. They should allow the state give him a befitting barrier, because he has sold, marketed, and projected Ghana through his music to the international world. Mr Speaker, finally I would want to beg that the nation should have a high-life museum where we have all art and works of our high-life musicians displayed there. This is because, in Ghana, one of the major music genres is high-life.
Mr Speaker, we do not even have anything in this country that depicts the fact that that is our music genre. We should use the passing of Lumba to make sure that we set up a music genre, high-life studios or high-life museum so that Ghana and everybody who comes to Ghana can have a share of that. Mr Speaker, to conclude, I want to take the lines again — [The Hon Member sang Daddy Lumba’s Sɛ Wo Tan Mea]
Hon Dominic Bingab Aduna Nitiwul
Bimbilla
Mr Speaker, I want to thank you very much.
When news broke that we had indeed lost Daddy Lumba, I am almost certain that there are many people in this Chamber who shed tears, including myself. Even those who do not speak impeccable Twi or do not even speak the Twi language, whenever they played Daddy Lumba's song, they enjoy it. Mr Speaker, even those whose mother tongue is not the Twi language, any time Daddy Lumba’s song was played, they enjoyed it.
Mr Speaker, Daddy Lumba is “our Michael Jackson”. This is a man whose music cuts across all ages; from the young to the middleaged to the old. And how he did it is still a marvel to some of us, that every year, since 1989 when he started with Nana Acheampong, he always came with a hit. There was no year that people were not waiting for Daddy Lumba to bring a song in December. Every year, Daddy Lumba always brought a hit song or a couple of hit songs in December. He entertained Ghanaians for more than 30 or 40 years. We should celebrate him. The nation owes it a duty to celebrate Daddy Lumba.
Mr Speaker, Lumba has left a mark, and I believe for many years to come, he may end up like Bob Marley, where even when he is not there, Ghanaians will still be playing his music. He was one of the few who held the highlife music through the skies. Ghanaians were known for highlife music. Today, it is changing. Many people and countries copied highlife music and Daddy Lumba represented the best of Highlife music.
Mr Speaker, if you ask those who speak and understand Twi language well, they will tell you how he composes his music, the lyrics, and the thought behind it marvels everybody. I remember somebody asked him what the meaning of aben wɔ ha is. They asked him, what is that? What were you talking about? Mr Speaker, what the average Ghanaian thought he was going to say, he never said that. That is the type of person we are mourning today.
It is unfortunate we have lost him at a very young age. When he celebrated his 60th birthday, he said, “Me too, I have reached that 60 years” and that he had never celebrated his birthday before until he was 60 years. As if it was prophetic— Only for us to wake up last weekend and be told that the man is no more.
Mr Speaker, Ghana should give him a befitting burial. The campaign song that my friend sang, that was a campaign song of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2008. I remember that after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the elections, every party that the NDC had, that was the song they were singing. — Not the ayε huhuuhu—The song, Nana yε winner. It was so popular across political parties that you did not know whether it was an NPP song or an NDC song. It was a model of how to campaign and how to compose a campaign song. Maybe the NDC brought one or two hit songs in 2012 to defeat us. But Mr Speaker, for him to produce so many musicians: Nana KD, Kofi B, Kofi Nti, and the one who sang “Emmanuella” — Ofori Amponsah — All of them, over 20 or 30 musicians passed through his hands. This is a great man we have to celebrate. He has done his part for Ghana music. He is an icon; he is a legend and this is a man who is our Michael Jackson.
Let us remember him and give him a befitting burial and pray that the almighty Lord will forgive him all his sins and put him at his right side. If you listen to his interviews over the last 10 years, when he did the surgery and was having difficulties, he always used God first before any other thing. Maybe the ancestors of Ghana and the spirits of the Sekyere land, Ashanti land, were telling him that his time is up. But whatever it is, wherever he is today, he should know that the people of Ghana love him. I have a friend who says that we should sing, is it Ankwanoma? [Mr Nitiwul and some Hon Members sang Daddy Lumba’s Ankwanoma.] Mr Speaker, we are doing things out of the ordinary for an extraordinary human being.
Mr Speaker, forgive us, but we are mourning the best of the best. Forgive us, for we shall never forget the name Charles Kwadwo Fosu, also known as (a.k.a.) Daddy Lumba (D.L.). On that day, let all of us be present to mourn him, wherever the funeral will be held, whether in Nsuta, Kumasi, or Accra. But I wish the state will give him a state burial here at the Forecourt of the State House for the people of Ghana to come and mourn him. And I bet you the streets of Accra will be full.
I went to the gym today and everybody was playing Daddy Lumba songs. You move through all parts of Accra; people are playing Daddy Lumba songs. People are weeping from Ghana to Germany and people are weeping from Bolga to Accra. Some people who never wept for their family members wept when they heard that Daddy Lumba died and it is not because they knew him physically. Not many people even met him, but the fact that he brought joy to the hearts of many people in Ghana.
Mr Speaker, Lumba brought joy through music. We are doing politics. I believe we shall also bring joy through politics. But for Lumba, he has done his part. He is a great man and we should not forget Daddy Lumba. Lumba’s incarnate will come one day. But I dare to say that he may arguably be the greatest Ghanaian musician to walk on the streets of Accra and to walk on the streets of Ghana.
I thank you, Mr Speaker, and may God bless all of us. And may his soul rest in perfect peace.
Hon Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe
Ada
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and I would like to thank the maker of the Statement.
Mr Speaker, we have lost a legend. This is a man who brought joy to everybody in the world. Because his music is everywhere. His songs are played at funerals and weddings; the youth play his music. Even in politics, his music is there.
Mr Speaker, Daddy Lumba will never die because his music will continue to live on and because of that his name will continue to live on. Mr Speaker, initially, I asked myself, why 60 years? Because I could remember I went to a programme with Mama Pat and we were invited to attend his 60th birthday but I could not go. Sixty years is too young because, if life begins at 40, then he is 20 years. When you listen to what killed him, initially people were saying the wife poisoned him, but he came out boldly to tell the whole world that it was a spinal cord injury.
Mr Speaker, this tells us that we should take good care of ourselves. At our youthful age, we should save some of the energy for the future, for the retirement age. We should not waste all the youthful age and not reserve some for the future or our retirement age. Mr Speaker, the spinal cord is a tissue that God has put together. So, we should take good care of it because this spinal cord injury has killed a lot of people, especially a lot of men.
Mr Speaker, I would advise everybody, because recently I met a guy in the tunnel and looking at the load that boy was carrying, I stopped him and asked him if he knew he was injuring himself. When one is young, one feels strong. But by the time one starts ageing, one starts feeling the effects. So, one has to take good care of one’s self when he or she is young. If one’s weight is 60kg or 50 kg and one wants to put three cement bags, which is more than one’s weight together and carry, one will injure himself or herself.
One is not going to feel the pain in one’s arms the day one throws the stone, but will feel it later. So, it is a pity that at age 60 that he was supposed to enjoy—Even if he could not have played musical concerts in places again, this is the time he would have stayed home with the grandchildren to enjoy the fruits of his labour. But this is rather the time he is saying goodbye to Ghanaians. It is sad. We are all sad because we are going to miss him a lot. As my Colleague said, we enjoyed a new song from him every Christmas.
Mr Speaker, we must not do what will hurt us and break us down in future. As he himself said me yere meho kum meho maa nipa o, ɛnso wiase nipa nhu nea mayɛ— To wit, a person will force and kill himself or herself for people and they would not even know what the person has done for them. So, a person must not force and kill himself or herself for people. A person must do what will give him or her more strength and energy, so that the person can stay and see his or her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
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