Introduction
Today, the mortal remains of Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, will be laid to rest at Nsuta in the Ashanti Region, where his life began. It is an open secret that this process has been neither silky nor smooth, much like his distinctive singing and speaking voice. Indeed, this has been a long road to burial—one that, in my estimation, further cements the legendary status of the man who commanded rare respect among his contemporaries, across generations, and throughout the country at large.
The Man Who Commanded Rare Industry Respect
While alive, Lumba used scarcity to build an aura of grace around his presence. Truly, his presence was costly. Promoters and music connoisseurs have all attested to the difficulty of securing his services for events. Consistently, the most recurrent themes in these narratives have been how the legend adhered strictly to standards, time, and procedure.
According to the few industry players around him, Daddy Lumba would not bend the rules for anyone, especially when it came to punctuality and payment for his services. He was not someone many could ride over, and given his status, it was always daunting to engage him in legal banter. Quiet and unassuming—but one played with his meekness at one’s own risk.
A True Libra (Born September 29)
Personally, I observed that, as a Libra, Daddy Lumba lived a peaceful and quiet life. His presence could only be invoked when it truly mattered—strictly on purpose and nothing else. He protected his privacy as though his life depended on it.
Away from the cacophony of everyday life, he composed some of the best songs across different niches—from political campaign songs and funeral dirges to love songs and compositions that extolled royalty and the beauty of life. Daddy Lumba’s unique ability to weave deep-seated concepts into carefully crafted compositions, elevated by his soothing voice and melodious rhythms, was simply phenomenal.
At his level, he did not compose merely for the beauty of it; rather, he found ways to communicate very sensitive matters, including the pleasures and challenges of love, personal family issues, his struggles living abroad, and political campaign renditions, among a host of other themes. He is, by far, the most decorated artist of his time—one whose craft breaks through intergenerational clutter. That is rare, right? That is legendary indeed.
Political but Hardly Partisan
To me, the man whose mortal remains we honour today was a true hero whose craft never suffered despite regularly composing political campaign songs for a particular political party. This would ordinarily cost many their careers—but not Daddy Lumba.
While he stayed clear of active politics, his music created the political waves needed to send chills down the spines of opposing parties. Even then, he maintained diplomatic relationships across the political divide—a feat many of his contemporaries could hardly achieve.
A Tinge of Legal Maze
The processes leading to today have been both remarkable and legendary, stretching Ghana’s family law in ways that have unsettled many. In several respects, people have had cause to question how our laws work.
Personally, I have been unsettled by how a judge could deliver a judgment in court, only to recall the parties two hours later to instruct that the plaintiff compensate the Abusua Panyin with GHC 2 million before their request for an injunction would be granted.
According to lawyers for the plaintiff, their client was given two hours to produce the said amount or forfeit the request to have Daddy Lumba’s body injuncted, thereby allowing the Abusua Panyin to proceed with the funeral. In their estimation, the judge acted outside the remit of the reliefs sought, exceeded the powers available to him, and assumed the role of a party to the case by demanding compensation and assigning an amount when no formal application for compensation had been made by the other interested party.
Prior to this, another High Court in Kumasi had ruled that both surviving spouses of Daddy Lumba be allowed to conduct widowhood rites, delivering a landmark judgment that intrigued and sharply divided opinion within and outside the legal fraternity.
As I closely monitor comments and events surrounding these major cases and the verdicts that followed, I am convinced that much more must be done to restore public confidence in the judiciary. Additionally, more civic education is required to help people appreciate issues beyond emotion, as allowing growing mistrust to fester could prove costly to our democracy.
Conclusion
A legend goes home today. He did not just pay his dues to us; he lived mystically, mythically, and almost magically—a life of total legendary stature that followed him to his grave. Sleep well. Sleep. You did your part, and Ghana is grateful to you.
Written by:
Samuel Boateng Osarfo
Marketing Communications / Writing Consultant
@Kingofcomms / @SkobaOfficial
DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, and contributions made by readers or contributors on this website do not necessarily represent the position or views of The Sikaman Times. The Sikaman Times will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements made by readers or contributors on this website.
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