Ghana and the wider music community are in mourning: Charles Kwadwo Fosu, affectionately known as Daddy Lumba, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Bank Hospital in Accra, at the age of 60, following a brief illness, according to his family’s official statement.
Cause of Death: Short Illness
Despite his towering public persona, Daddy Lumba’s death was not sudden or due to accident—it followed a short illness. His family and legal representatives confirmed that he had been admitted to hospital for several days, and succumbed to complications associated with this illness. No specific disease or condition has been publicly disclosed, and the family has requested privacy during this period of grief .
Timeline & Estates
- Admission to Bank Hospital in Accra: several days prior to July 26, 2025 .
- Passing: early morning of July 26, 2025 .
- At the age of 60, Daddy Lumba left behind over 30 studio albums and countless timeless hits, celebrated nationwide for over four decades .
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Daddy Lumba’s music career began in the early 1980s. After migrating to Germany, he formed the Lumba Brothers with Nana Acheampong, launching Ghana’s “Burger‑Highlife” sound — a fusion of Ghanaian Highlife with European funk and disco influences .
His solo career spanned three decades, delivering major hits like “Theresa,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Yentie Obiaa,” and “Sika Asem”, which became cultural staples across generations .
Tributes & Public Grief
National figures including former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia paid tribute, calling Daddy Lumba “a true music icon whose works inspired and uplifted many of us” . Fans and fellow artists across Ghana and the diaspora united in grief, celebrating his profound influence and lamenting the silence left by his passing.
Why People Are Asking: “What killed Lumba?”
Search interest around Daddy Lumba’s death often centers on the cause—especially since no official diagnosis or medical details has been released. The repeated phrasing “what killed Lumba?” reflects public desire for clarity. However, all available reports confirm only a short illness as the widely accepted explanation, and the family has not offered additional medical specifics .
Daddy Lumba’s passing is a monumental loss for Ghana and African music as a whole. While the exact illness remains private, it’s clear that even legends aren’t immune to humanity’s fragility. His legacy—etched in melody and memory—will outlast any silence.
