Honoring a Legacy: Lessons from Daddy Lumba’s Song on Leadership and Succession
About three weeks ago, Ghana mourned the loss of one of its most celebrated highlife musicians, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, known to millions as Daddy Lumba. His passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes, with his songs continuing to resonate on airwaves as fans reflect on his extraordinary career and cultural influence. Among his many tracks, one stands out for its deep life and leadership lessons: Sɛ Emere No Beso A (When It’s About Time). This song serves as a poignant reminder that no matter our status or power today, there will come a time when our roles must be passed on to others.
Lumba’s lyrics offer timeless wisdom for entrepreneurs, family business owners, and corporate leaders about the importance of succession planning. Here are five key lessons drawn from his powerful message:
Lesson 1: Accept That the ‘Time Will Come’
In Sɛ Emere No Beso A, Lumba acknowledges the inevitability of change and mortality. For business leaders, this is a clear parallel: leadership transition is not a matter of if, but when. Retirement, illness, market disruptions, or unforeseen events can force sudden changes. Denying this reality delays preparation and leaves organizations vulnerable. Leaders must accept that their time will eventually come and prepare accordingly.
Lesson 2: Prepare the Next Generation Early
Lumba promises in the song to do everything possible so his “children” will not suffer. This mirrors the responsibility leaders have to groom capable successors. Effective succession is not about last-minute handovers; it is about years of mentorship, structured delegation, and gradually preparing the next line of leadership. The earlier the process begins, the smoother the transition will be.
Lesson 3: Pass On Values, Not Just Skills
A true legacy is not only about passing down assets or job titles. Lumba’s lyrics reflect a father’s desire to leave behind love, principles, and a protective foundation. In business, successful succession means ensuring the organization’s core values, ethics, and vision are clearly embedded in the next generation of leaders. It’s not just about skills—it’s about culture.
Lesson 4: Build Structures That Outlive You
One of the most memorable metaphors in the song is Lumba’s reference to a plantain that grows suckers by its side while still young, ensuring its root doesn’t die and its name doesn’t disappear. For leaders, this is a powerful illustration of proactive succession. You must grow “suckers”—people and systems—while you are still active, so when your own season ends, the organization’s root remains strong and your legacy intact. This means investing in leadership pipelines, codifying operational processes, and building governance structures that can stand without you.
Lesson 5: Think Beyond the Immediate Family
While Lumba’s concern in the song was for his biological children, leaders must remember their broader “family”—employees, customers, investors, and communities. A succession plan should secure the trust and continuity of all stakeholders, not just close allies or relatives. A well-structured plan ensures that everyone connected to the organization feels valued and supported during transitions.
Why This Matters Now
Research by PwC shows that globally, only about 30 percent of family businesses survive into the second generation, and just 12–15 percent make it to the third. In Ghana, we have seen once-dominant businesses fade because leadership change was either rushed, contested, or poorly planned. Conversely, well-executed transitions, backed by a clear vision and strong structures, keep organizations thriving long after the founder has stepped aside.
The Final Note
In Sɛ Emere No Beso A, Daddy Lumba asks us to reflect on life’s inevitable transitions. For entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, the message is urgent: succession planning is not an afterthought—it is a strategic imperative. The true measure of leadership is not only in building a thriving enterprise today but in ensuring it flourishes for generations to come. In honoring Lumba’s legacy, let us also commit to leaving our organizations and our life’s work prepared for “when the time will come.”
