The final funeral rites of highlife legend Daddy Lumba on Saturday, December 13, 2025, turned into a politically charged national spectacle, as Presid
The final funeral rites of highlife legend Daddy Lumba on Saturday, December 13, 2025, turned into a politically charged national spectacle, as President John Dramani Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) donated GH₵50,000 to the family of the late musician at the ceremony held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The donation, made in full public view during the funeral proceedings, immediately drew attention not only because of the amount involved but also because of the political context in which it occurred. With the country still grappling with economic pressures and heightened public scrutiny of political spending, the gesture by the President and his party became a focal point of discussion alongside the mourning of one of the most celebrated cultural figures.
Daddy Lumba’s funeral attracted thousands of fans from across the country, many of whom began arriving at the stadium in the early hours to pay their last respects.
The venue was transformed into a sea of black and red, as mourners sang and danced to the late musician’s iconic songs.
Despite the sombre occasion, the atmosphere reflected the celebratory spirit that defined Daddy Lumba’s life and music. Security was heavily deployed to manage the massive turnout and ensure order.
Top officials of the NDC were present at the ceremony, including National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional NDC Chairman Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi, and several party executives.
Their collective presence reinforced the political weight attached to the event, blurring the lines between state mourning, party solidarity and public relations.
Musical tributes formed a central part of the funeral rites, with veteran musician Nana Acheampong delivering a live band performance in honour of Daddy Lumba.
The performance drew loud applause from the crowd, many of whom described it as a fitting farewell to an artiste whose music defined decades of Ghanaian highlife and contemporary sound.
The burial itself marked the end of a prolonged and emotionally draining family dispute that delayed Daddy Lumba’s funeral for months.
Following his death, disagreements among family members—particularly on the maternal side—resulted in a court injunction that prevented the release of his body from Transitions Funeral Home. The legal battle sparked widespread public debate and frustration among fans eager to see the icon laid to rest.
Relief came when the Accra High Court ruled that the funeral could proceed after the applicants failed to raise a court-ordered GH₵2 million to sustain the injunction.
The court had earlier warned that failure to meet the condition would automatically lead to the release of the body for burial. The ruling cleared the final obstacle, paving the way for Saturday’s ceremony in Kumasi.
Lawyers for the defendants welcomed the decision, describing it as a necessary end to an avoidable dispute. They appealed to Ghanaians to set aside divisions and honour the memory of a man whose music cut across political, ethnic and generational boundaries.
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