SHOCKING! Komla Dumor

Ghana's celebrated international broadcaster, Komla Afeke Dumor is no more.

For many people, the death of the ace broadcaster in his London home may have been sudden, but facts gleaned by DAILY GUIDE indicate that he nearly suffered a stroke last year and he has been experiencing a 'lot of illness' but kept it to himself.

A week before his death, Komla Dumor, the BBC World News and Focus on Africa presenter, wrote on his Facebook wall, "….Last year I experienced a lot of illness. My BP nearly gave me a stroke but I trod on. Waking up at 2am and heading to work. Exhausted sometimes…aching in my body and soul…mentally and emotionally drained, but I kept going. I smiled for the camera…I volunteered for extra shifts…I showed respect to my colleagues from directors to security guards."

Jealousy

"…I remain silent in my personal strife and misery…I kept smiling and pushing on to present better and to engage with my audience and increase my following…long days and frustrating times but I kept going…but I kept going…through the West Gate Mall coverage through the Mandela funeral…even when illness had me collapsing," he lamented.

In the face of the hard work, some of his colleagues were jealous of his drive and commitment to duty.

According to him, he took it all amidst 'jealousy-driven vicious insults and backstabbing' from colleagues.

He was to be the face of the BBC at the Mundial in Brazil since he was just selected by his bosses as the lead anchor for the station, an assignment he did not live to carry out.

Lost For Words

On Saturday January 18, the world woke up to the shocking news of the sudden death of the broadcaster who was believed to have succumbed to a heart attack in London.

His family has been totally devastated by the development.

"We are lost for words at Komla's passing," a statement released by the family on Saturday read.

The release was signed by the family's media liaison, Esther A.N Cobbah, the CEO of Stratcom Africa.

The statement is the official announcement of the death of the 41-year-old internationally acclaimed broadcaster who is believed to have died of cardiac arrest.

"The Dumor, Gbeho and allied families, with deep sorrow, announce the passing of our beloved Komla Dumor today in London," the official statement read.
Rumours of Komla Dumor's death went viral on the social media around 3:30pm Saturday afternoon, after which several radio stations broke their programmes to announce the breaking news of Komla's death.

Later in the day, his friend, Herbert Mensah, a renowned sports administrator, confirmed the news to Accra-based radio station Joy FM, saying he had a cardiac arrest and confirmed also that his wife Kwansema Dumor was present when doctors pronounced him dead at a London hospital.

Consummate Professional 

*Children of Mr. Dumor

Immediately after the pronouncement, a tweet on BBC Africa @BBCAfrica's timeline said, "Very sad to learn of the sudden passing of dear colleague, brother, friend and consummate professional Komla Dumor."

Broadcaster and BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Mishal Husain described Komla Dumor as  "one of our brightest and best" while the BBC's Global News director Peter Horrocks described him as "a leading light of African journalism".

The social media is inundated with outpouring of grief of millions across the world at the death of the 'consummate professional' who was very active on the social media.

Several other media houses have also reported the death. Kenya's biggest newspaper, the Daily Nation, on Sunday reported, "BBC Journalist Komla Dumor, renowned for Focus on Africa radio programme, has died of cardiac arrest in London."

The Associated Press also reported on news portal MSN, "Tributes have been paid to BBC TV presenter Komla Dumor, one of Ghana's best-known journalists, after he died suddenly at his home in London at the age of 41, the corporation has announced."

Komla Dumor's unceremonious demise has left his three kids Elorm, Tenuvi and Elenam Dumor, fatherless. The eldest of this trio- Elenam – is barely eight years old.

Pinnacle Of Career

As a BBC presenter, Komla was cruising at the height of his career, noted as one of the most influential personalities at the station. He had been given the opportunity to interview global political and business leaders including former US President Bill Clinton, former UN Secretary General Dr. Kofi Annan, and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates among others.

He was BBC's face at the memorable royal wedding of Prince Williams at the Birmingham Palace, getting the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with the British Monarchy.

He was a permanent feature on the forefront of breaking stories across the African continent. His most recent profound coverage were the infamous Westgate Shopping Mall attack by Somali terrorists in Nairobi Kenya and the Nelson Mandela funeral.

Meanwhile, media experts have noted that since his employment at BBC's headquarters at the Bush House in 2006, coverage of issues relating to Ghana on BBC had improved dramatically.

Last year, Komla Dumor was voted as one of Africa's Most Influential Personalities by the Afrocentric magazine, New African. He was listed among Africa's most powerful, richest, spiritual leaders, political game changers, global superstars, among others.

Face Of Africa

According to Herbert Mensah, the late Komla Dumor's influence was so pervasive that the BBC nominated him last week to be the face of the BBC for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

"…My boss, the head of Television called me for a one-minute meeting…he said Komla we have decided to make you the anchor presenter for our coverage of the world cup in Brazil…we shook hands and I left. I looked to the sky and said thank you Lord for reminding me that you are on my side…" an excited Komla Dumor stated on his social media network page.

Tears Flow

His death has shattered the emotion of many people globally.

In an interview with Matilda Asante-Asiedu, his former colleague at Joy FM, now head of Corporate Affairs at Access Bank, she could barely hold back her tears on live radio, as she described the death as "so shocking, so unbelievable, it is just incredible".

According to her, she was hoping that the news was "just some false alarm".

Several media condolences have poured in since the news broke.

Franklin Cudjoe, the Executive Director of think-tank IMANI Ghana, on his facebook page recounted his encounter with Komla Dumor in 2006 when he wanted to feature on Joy FM's Morning Show. He said Komla gave him a prophetic advice. "Komla told me in 2006 when I wanted to be featured on JOY FM that If I did this now, management would think I have taken money from you. I will urge you to continue writing your excellent articles and one day we will run after you."

"…Boss Player, You are not GONE!!!" Franklin Cudjoe eulogized.

Bill Gates's wife, Melinda Gates tweeted: "Bill and I are saddened by the death of BBC's Komla Dumor. His work of bringing the stories of Africa to the rest of the world will be missed."

President John Dramani Mahama paid a glowing tribute to the late Komla Dumor saying, "In his passing, Ghana, Africa and indeed the world have lost a great, dedicated and wonderful human being and world broadcaster.  May his soul rest in peace."

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor described how he took the news as being 'taken off guard'.

The flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his running-mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have also paid their heartfelt tribute to the deceased journalist.

"My thoughts go out to his family. This is so devastating for all of us but we can only imagine what his family is going through at the moment. This life can be so cruel. Why do such good people die so young? However, we cannot question God. He knows best," Dr Bawumia wrote.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) issued a statement of condolence, saying, "Undoubtedly, Komla Dumor was one of the brightest and best journalists our country, and indeed the rest of Africa had been blessed with over the last decade," a statement signed by party Chairman, Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey read.
"The leadership and entire membership of the party wish to convey our thoughts, sympathies and prayers to the wife, children and family of Komla Dumor in this time of mourning. We hope you will be consoled by your cherished memories of Komla and be comforted by the presence of family and friends."
Progression

Before joining the BBC in 2006, he hosted Joy FM's Super Morning Show for 10 years and won the 2003 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Journalist of the Year Award.

Dumor started at the University of Jos in Nigeria where he was admitted to read Medicine but dumped the course to read Sociology and Psychology at the University of Ghana, graduating with a BSc degree. He went on to study at Harvard University in the US for his Masters Degree in Public Administration.

The final funeral arrangements have not been announced. According to family spokesperson, Ms. Cobbah, this information would be communicated in 'due course'.

 By Raphael Ofori-Adeniran