I first met Papa in 1990, thanks to my auntie, Mrs. Felicia Danso. She had told us she had a surprise waiting at her North Legon home, and boy, was it a surprise! My mum and I joined the rest of the family for what felt like a typical fun day: loud music, kids running around, and the mothers deep in conversation. Then a horn honked at the gate. My cousins Joe, Anita and I rushed to open it, and there he was. The living legend himself, Daddy Lumba, driving in like a scene straight out of TV. We were beside ourselves with excitement.
That’s how it all began. We were introduced as his younger cousins, tied by our mothers’ roots in the Bretuo-Aduana lineage of Asante Mampong. I must’ve been around 14 or 15 years old, and from then on, I started spending more time with him at home with Gina, at Charles Amoah’s place in Awudome or with Willie Roy in Tema, where demos were always in the works. It was during these moments that I truly fell in love with highlife music and developed an eye for artistry and musicianship.
When computer schools started springing up everywhere, Papa pulled me aside and said, “Nana, I think you should enrol, this is where the world is heading.” The next day, it had been paid for me to start a computer program at Arab Libyan Cultural Centre on the Ring Road. He was always ahead of his time.
During school vacations, I’d help out at his music shop in Okaishie, just opposite the MTTU. Joe and I worked alongside Sister Abena (his wife Akosua Serwaa’s older sister). The shop was like a magnet for underground musicians, some hopeful, some discouraged, but all inspired. Getting through the gate to meet him was a mission in itself, you needed more than luck, you needed Papa’s green light.
That little corner of Dome, introduced me to so many greats like Nana Tuffour, Oheneba Kissi, Afia Ampofoa, KK Kabobo (another proud son of Adansi), Felix Owusu, Dada KD (who often worked with Charles Amoah), Tommy Wiredu, Frank Mensah… Papa adored their talent. There was also our brother Papa Shee, then his dancer, and a quiet, persistent young guy who often waited patiently at the gate with his demo, none other than Ofori Amponsah. That patience paid off with a collaboration album in 1999–2000. I would later manage Ofori for four incredible years.
One random afternoon, we were driving from an interview at Vibe FM, tuned in to Radio Gold (the gold standard back then for authentic Ghanaian music). An ad came on calling for new radio presenters. Papa suddenly turned to me and said, “Nana, this one’s for you, let’s apply.” I jumped at the idea, I’d always dreamed of doing radio. With help from Kwame Farkye at Sunshine Radio, I recorded a demo. Papa himself drove me to Radio Gold to meet Kwaku Boafo-Agyemang, the Programs Manager. And just like that, my media journey began in 1997.
Thank you, Papa, for seeing something in many of us before we even saw it ourselves. For being generous with your time, intentional with your influence, and unapologetic about helping others win. You changed my life and the lives of countless others. You weren’t just a legend on stage, you were magic offstage too.
Sleep well Papa!
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