Leader of the Union Government, Akwasi Addai Odike, has called on Ghanaian politicians to emulate the virtue of gratitude as demonstrated by the late hilife legend, Daddy Lumba.
Speaking on the importance of acknowledging those who contribute to one’s journey, Odike highlighted Lumba’s consistent public appreciation of individuals who supported him during his rise to stardom.
“When we talked about Daddy Lumba, he was an icon in music. You see, in this world, we have people who sit back to reflect on their lives and those who were helpful to their success. Lumba mentioned the names of twelve people who, had it not been for their assistance, hunger would have starved him to death at some stage in his life,” he mentioned.
Contrasting this with political leadership in Ghana, Odike criticized the culture of neglect shown by some public officeholders once they attain power.
“But the same cannot be said about our leaders in governance. In our political landscape, those who help others to assume positions are often neglected once power is won. These individuals, who sacrifice and toil to support others, are replaced by friends and cronies, leaving them in pain,” Odike expressed to Saddick Adams on the Angel Morining Show.
He further urged national leaders to reflect and adopt the practice of recognising and valuing those who helped them rise.
“I speak to Ghanaian leaders without mincing words, using the Akan adage: ‘When someone helps you to witness life, you don’t help them to witness death.’ They should learn from Lumba,” Odike praised Lumba’s legacy of honoring supporters through music and public tribute.
He further mentioned that “Daddy Lumba went as far back as childhood, acknowledging those who played instrumental roles in his rise. When he became successful, he featured their names in his songs. Such a gesture is a motivation to us all.
“If you listen to those songs, you would understand that gratitude is very important in every aspect of life and indeed, Lumba did not miss that opportunity,” he said Monday, July 28, 2025.
The Presidential hopeful condemned what he described as the deliberate ill-treatment of people by some political leaders for being heartless.
“…For some leaders in this country, they would rather deliberately treat you wickedly, even to the point of death simply because they have no empathy for you.”
Lumba missed no opportunities to show gratitude to his helpers – Odike
