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BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Daddy Lumba: Ghana's highlife legend dies age 60
Ghanaians are mourning one of the country's best known singers, Charles Kojo Fosu, known as Daddy Lumba, who has died aged 60.A statement from the family of the legendary highlife artist said he died in hospital on Saturday after a short Lumba, whose musical career spanned almost four decades, "was a cultural icon and his music touched countless lives", the statement Okyere-Darko, director of diaspora affairs at the office of the president, described Daddy Lumba as "the greatest from Ghana in the last 100 years". Daddy Lumba inspired many young Ghanaian musicians to pursue highlife music - a genre synonymous with the is credited with 33 albums and more than 200 songs over his long career, touching on themes such as love, forgiveness, beauty, money, death and other social John Mahama paid tribute to him on Sunday with a post on Facebook."Lumba's unmatched musical genius provided the soundtrack to our lives, carrying us through various phases of life," he wrote. "The beats to his memorable songs may have died down, but his enduring legacy will echo through the ages."Meanwhile former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said "his passing is indeed a huge blow not only to the music fraternity but the entire country".Fellow artists such as Sarkodie, Guru, Sista Afia, were among the first to send condolences to the bereaved family, eulogising the "incredible talent he shared with the world".Lumba last held a public concert to mark Valentine's Day on 15 February 2025 to celebrate love, sharing the stage with some of Ghana's brightest musicians, with many of the country's politicians and influential people in this month, he met President Mahama at an event organised for senior citizens at the seat of government as part of celebrations to mark the Republic Day had been due to go on tour to the US and Canada later this most celebrated albums include Sika Sem, Aben Wo Ha, Wo Ho Kyere, Awosoo, Give Peace A Chance and Ahenfue most recent song, Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo, was released in December 2022. Who was Daddy Lumba? Lumba, born on 29 September 1964 in the town of Nsuta in Ghana's Ashanti region, began his music journey in the early got his stage name Lumba when he composed the song Lumba Lumba, which he dedicated to the freedom fighters of South Africa, according to his official Lumba travelled to Germany and teamed up with fellow highlife musician Nana Acheampong and the duo became known as the Lumba released their first official album, Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom, in 1986 - the song of the same name captures the struggles of Ghanaian immigrants in Europe searching for a better the pair fell out and split, Daddy Lumba launched a solo career and released his first album Obi Ate Meso Bio in 1990 and never looked family has requested privacy "as they navigate this profound grief".Details of funeral arrangements will be made public in the coming days. More stories about Ghana from the BBC: Ghana bans foreigners from trading in its gold market to boost revenue'I was duped into leaving London for school in Ghana - but it saved me'Ghana wants more for its cashews, but it's a tough nut to crackThe Maths Queen with a quantum mission to mentor girls Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Associated Press
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Interpol issues red notice for Ghana's ex-finance minister over corruption claims
ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Global police organization Interpol placed Ghana 's former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta on its red notice list on Friday for allegedly using public office for personal gain. The notice follows a request from the West African country's prosecutors who have declared Ofori-Atta a 'fugitive' after he failed to appear before an investigative panel this month citing medical reasons. The former minister's lawyers said they submitted medical records to the court showing he is receiving treatment abroad. His exact location remains unclear. Ofori-Atta's lawyer, Frank Davies, told The Associated Press that the declaration of his client as a 'fugitive' is 'very condescending' and 'an unfettered infringement of Ofori-Atta's rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.' Davies said the former minister had informed the authorities of his intention to travel outside the country for medical attention since February. An Interpol red notice — while not an arrest warrant — alerts law enforcement agencies to locate and detain Ofori-Atta pending extradition. Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024 for the New Patriotic Party, is accused of having been involved in several corruption cases, including the misuse of $58 million of public funds for a national cathedral project that never materialized. Last December, the NPP's candidate Mahamudu Bawumia lost the the presidential election to the National Democratic Congress nominee John Mahama. Since taking office in January, Mahama has launched an anti-corruption campaign aimed at recovering $20 billion in alleged stolen state funds. Critics, however, say the effort has spared allies of his administration. Ofori-Atta has not commented on the accusations, but has said in the past he was unlawfully treated by the prosecution. In March, he filed a lawsuit against the office of the special prosecutor, requesting the removal of 'damaging' content from the office's social media platforms.
