Ghana mourns Komla Dumor
Ghanaians were last Saturday hit by the shocking news of the death of ace Ghanaian journalist, Komla Afeke Dumor.
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The BBC Focus on Africa presenter is reported to have died from cardiac arrest at his London residence at age 41, a sad event which has thrown family members, friends and loved ones back in Ghana and abroad into a state of mourning.
The news of his death went viral on social media outlets, as many people expressed shock and disbelief, while some radio stations, notably Accra-based Joy FM, devoted their programmes to his memory.
Professional career
A hugely built figure with a baritone voice, Dumor took broadcast journalism in Ghana to a higher level, hosting Joy FM’s Super Morning Show for 10 years.
Within that period, he endeared himself to Ghanaians as one of the finest journalists in the country, although he did not have any formal journalism training at the time.
He was crowned the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Journalist of the Year in 2003.
It was not surprising, therefore, that his sterling performance caught the attention of the international media, as the BBC plucked him from Joy FM in 2006 for its African Service as host of Network Africa.
Dumor’s budding talent in broadcast journalism continued to sparkle at the BBC and from 2008 to 2012 he became the presenter of The World Today on the BBC World Service.
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He also presented the World News and Africa Business Report on BBC World News television from 2011, and later in 2012 he became the main presenter of the BBC World News programme Focus on Africa.
Educational background
Born in Accra on October 3, 1972, Komla Dumor graduated from the University of Ghana with a BSc in Sociology and Psychology, after studying Medicine initially.
He later proceeded to Harvard University, graduating with an MA in Public Administration.
He was married and had three children.
Writer’s Email: kofi.yeboah@graphic.com.gh