I got 'filla' that Daddy Lumba wanted to be an MP

Following the passing of Highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, Mark Okraku-Mantey has revealed that the music icon once dreamed of swapping the stage for Parliament, and even aspired to a royal seat in his hometown.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Showtym on August 9, 2025, during a discussion on Daddy Lumba’s complex legacy, Okraku-Mantey said he had reliable information that the “Aben Wo Ha” hitmaker wanted to contest for a seat in Parliament.

He hinted that former President Akufo-Addo, who had a close relationship with the late musician, could one day share more details about this political ambition.

According to Okraku-Mantey, just as Daddy Lumba was preparing to take a step into politics, his health began to deteriorate, forcing him to abandon those plans.

He added that the Highlife legend’s leadership aspirations were not limited to politics; he also wanted to serve as a traditional ruler in his hometown, a role his family later confirmed he was interested in.

“I got some ‘filla’ that Daddy Lumba had ambitions of becoming an MP. One day, Akufo-Addo will disclose everything for everyone to hear. He had a special relationship with him. As it neared his time, sickness began to trouble him, and he had to leave everything behind.

“He also aspired to become a chief; in fact, his family even came forward to say that he wanted to take on this role in his hometown. After pursuing a career in music, he wanted to transition into a leadership position,” Okraku-Mantey said.

Daddy Lumba, who passed away on July 26, 2025, left behind decades of timeless music and an unmatched influence on Ghana’s music scene.