Veteran music producer Fred Kyei Mensah has called for a broader national recognition of the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba, insisting his influence extended far beyond music into the very fabric of Ghana’s economic and social life.
Speaking on The Chat with Ekow Koomson on Channel One TV on Saturday, July 26, Kyei Mensah argued that Daddy Lumba’s impact should be viewed through a wider lens — one that includes his indirect contributions to key sectors such as entertainment, nightlife, and even the brewery industry.
“Daddy Lumba’s music has driven social gatherings, nightlife, and by extension, the brewery business for decades,” he said. “He has helped move products, fill venues, and power industries. That’s a contribution to the GDP in its own right.”
His remarks follow the passing of Charles Kojo Fosu, widely known as Daddy Lumba, on July 26, 2025 — a loss that has sent ripples across the nation and sparked renewed conversations about how Ghana celebrates its cultural giants.
Kyei Mensah questioned why tributes of such magnitude often come after the death of legends, rather than during their lifetime when they can personally experience the nation’s appreciation.
“Why wait until they’re gone to celebrate them?” he asked. “We should lift up our legends while they can still see and feel the love.”
As tributes continue to pour in, Kyei Mensah’s reflections stand out as a sobering reminder that legacies are not built solely in the arts but in the industries they influence, the lives they touch, and the value they generate for the nation.
His call is one that resonates deeply — not just as a farewell to a musical icon, but as a challenge to Ghana to broaden how it measures and honours greatness.
