Entertainment
Thousands ‘celebrate’ Daddy Lumba at national candlelight vigil
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Lumbas-vigil.-Children-and-family-of-the-late-icon-at-the-event-1000x600.jpeg&description= Thousands ‘celebrate’ Daddy Lumba at national candlelight vigil', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Lumbas-vigil.-Children-and-family-of-the-late-icon-at-the-event-1000x600.jpeg&description= Thousands ‘celebrate’ Daddy Lumba at national candlelight vigil', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Independence Square in Accra was on Saturday night transformed into a glowing sea of candles as thousands gathered to pay tribute to the late highlife icon, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
The national candlelight vigil, held just days after his passing on July 26 at age 60, brought together fans, government officials, cultural figures, and musicians to celebrate a man whose music spanned generations and defined Ghana’s musical identity.
Organised by the Creative Arts Agency (CAA), the solemn evening was rich in emotion and symbolism. Two symbolic candles were lit-one on behalf of the President and another by the Ghana Tourism Authority, signifying national honour and gratitude.
A large portrait of the music legend was unveiled amid applause and visible emotion from the crowd.
Throughout the night, the square resonated with live music, poetry, and heartfelt tributes.
Highlife veterans Kwabena Kwabena and Pat Thomas performed emotional renditions of collaborative hits with Lumba, including Obi Ate Meso Buo (Remix) and Ahenfo Kyiniye.
The vigil also featured appearances by spoken-word artists, choral groups, and cultural troupes, while prominent personalities from the creative industry including Sarkodie, Stacy Amoateng, and Emelia Brobbey joined the thousands to honour Lumba’s legacy.
Family members, friends, and public figures offered deeply personal and official tributes.
A message read on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama described Lumba as ‘a national icon’ whose music and legacy ‘remain with us’.
His second wife, Priscilla Ofori-Atta, in a tribute read on her behalf, reflected on their shared life. It said “You were my protector, my joy, my home. Now the silence feels unbearable. The studio is quiet. But your legacy, it sings on.”
His children also paid tribute, thanking the public for their support, saying “Without your love and loyalty, he wouldn’t have become Daddy Lumba.”
MUSIGA President, Bessa Simons called him a cultural mirror: adding that his music didn’t just reflect Ghana; it was Ghana.”
The attendees, many dressed in black, held candles that lit up the entire square in a striking visual tribute. Branded T-shirts and paraphernalia featuring the late icon were also available at the vigil.
The vigil served not only as a farewell but also a celebration, a reminder that Daddy Lumba’s voice and message will continue to echo in the hearts of Ghanaians for generations to come.
BY Stephanie Birikorang
Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician Diana Hopeson, is set to return to the music scene with a new album titled Megyae, a project centred on faith, worship, personal reflection and the power of God’s Word.
The seven-track album, which also includes an instrumental version of the title song, brings together different aspects of Hopeson’s musical journey, combining traditional Ghanaian gospel sounds with contemporary expressions.
At the centre of the project is the title track, Megyae, which was inspired by Psalm 119:9-16 and focuses on the need to keep God’s Word in the heart as a guide to living a righteous life.
Madam Hopeson explained that the song addresses the everyday struggle to overcome temptation, distractions and unhealthy habits that can prevent people from becoming who God has called them to be.
As a certified counsellor, she also seeks to draw attention to some of the deeper issues that can contribute to destructive behaviour and repeated unhealthy patterns.
The project acknowledges that addiction and other harmful behaviours may be linked to factors such as trauma, stress, mental health challenges and a person’s environment.
Megyae, therefore, presents both a spiritual message and an invitation for listeners to reflect, seek healing and embrace positive change.
Musically, the album brings together different eras of Hopeson’s sound.
The album opens with a worship version of one of her popular songs, Agyenkwa Hene, while Yesu Mo has also been reimagined in a worship style.
It further features two energetic praise medleys, including one inspired by Hopeson’s Awutu heritage, as well as an English interpretation of Psalm 119:9-16 titled Your Word In My Heart.
The title track appears in two versions, with one taking a warm, vintage-inspired approach that reflects the character of classic Ghanaian gospel music, while the other offers a more contemporary sound for younger listeners.
According to Hopeson, the combination of worship, praise, heritage and personal devotion is intended to create a musical journey while marking a new chapter in her contribution to Ghanaian gospel music.
Ahead of the official launch, she will host an online listening session on August 15, 2026, with further details expected to be announced on her social media platforms.
The Megyae album will officially be launched at an invitation and RSVP-only launch and fundraising event on August 30, 2026.
The fundraising event will support a nationwide school outreach and campaign inspired by the album.
Through Megyae, Hopeson is encouraging listeners to reflect on the things they need to let go of and consider the impact of allowing the Word of God to take root in their lives.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The newly crowned winners of Miss Ghana 2026 have been officially presented to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, as the pageant prepares to mark 70 years of beauty, culture, and national pride.
The courtesy call, held recently in Accra, also marked the official unveiling of the queens to the Minister and Miss Ghana @70 Legacy Project, a year-long initiative to commemorate the pageant’s 70-year history and reposition it as a platform for tourism promotion, youth empowerment, and cultural diplomacy.
The delegation was led by Ms Inna Patty, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Exclusive Events Ghana, organisers of Miss Ghana.
The team presented their roadmap for the reigning queens, including preparations for the Miss World competition and a series of activities lined up ahead of the pageant’s 70th anniversary.
Commending the organisation for sustaining the pageant for seven decades, Madam Dzifa Gomashie pledged the ministry’s full support.
She assured that the queens’ activities will be aligned with national tourism campaigns and other key initiatives to project Ghana’s heritage to the world.
The grand finale of the 69th edition, held under the theme: ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy,’ saw Rumzia Sule, an International Relations student at the University of Cumbria, crowned Miss Ghana 2026.
She emerged victorious over 12 other contestants to claim the coveted national title.
Also honoured on the night were Fatimatu Zara Ishaku, a University of Ghana graduate, who placed as 1st Runner-Up, and Whitney Opoku Nketia, who was named 2nd Runner-Up.
Founded in 1957, the same year Ghana gained independence, Miss Ghana remains the nation’s oldest and most prestigious beauty pageant.
For 70 years, it has crowned women who have gone on to serve as ambassadors for Ghanaian culture, fashion, education, and social impact.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
