Photo by BloggingGhana member Nana Kofi Acquah on Komla Dumor’s 41st birthday. Used with permission.
On 18 January, 2014, the world was hit with the shocking news of the sudden death of Ghanaian BBC presenter Komla Dumor, who was known in the Ghanaian community as the “Boss Player”. Komla was the presenter for the BBC World News and Focus on Africa.
Upon hearing the news of his death, Ghanain President John Mahama tweeted:
Our nation has lost one of its finest ambassadors. @BBCkomladumor was a broadcaster of exceptional quality and Ghana's gift to the world.
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) January 18, 2014
Blogging Ghana, an organization of bloggers and social media enthusiasts, organised a Google+ hangout discussion on 24 January, 2014 in remembrance of Komla. The hangout was spearheaded by Jemila Abdulai and Gameli Adzaho, members of Blogging Ghana.
They wrote in a blog post on the group's website:
Members of Ghana’s online community would justifiably want to quickly forget last Saturday 18th January 2014 for the sad tidings the day brought. From noon or so, rumours started filtering into various online platforms that “something bad” might have happened to leading BBC world service presenter Komla Dumor.
Like the pitiful notes and sombre drumbeats of bad music emanating from a player outside our control, the dreadful news continued to self-propagate, finally filling our hearts and minds with misery. And as the pitch increased, the clouds darkened, and our worst fears descended like torrential rainfall. Komla Afeke Dumor, the “boss player”, is gone from the earth and has taken his vim to another sphere.
Ghanaians mourned together on Twitter with the hashtag #RIPKomlaDumor.
Maame Aba recalled how she heard about Komla's death:
@BloggingGhana I was cooking on Sunday evening. Had gone offline. Sister came home and blurted it was on the radio #RIPKomlaDumor
— Maame Aba (@D41XY) January 24, 2014
GanyobiNaa, an occupational hygienist and a photographer who was a participant of the Google+ hangout discussion, stated:
“I didn't think of him as a traffic reporter. His detail – he made the morning show something not to miss.” – @GanyobiNaa #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
Macjordan reflected on Komla's interview skills:
“A lot of African presidents ran away. He sat w Rwanda's president and got the truth out.” – @MacJordaN on pursuing the truth #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
Bernard Kelvin, a bestselling author in Ghana, emphasised the uniqueness of Komla's journalism work:
“As a journalist, what are your values? What are your talents? Are you being authentic?” – @BernardKelvin #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
Blogging Ghana tweeted a question:
What can African journalists, bloggers learn from Komla Dumor's body of work? #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
Maame Aba responded:
@BloggingGhana journalists should maintain integrity. Be tenacious yet respectful. Love what they do n be true to themselves #RIPKomlaDumor
— Maame Aba (@D41XY) January 24, 2014
Blogging Ghana asked the online community to share their personal interaction they had with Komla:
Do you have any personal stories about your interaction with Komla Dumor? Tweet with the hashtag #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
Papa Nkpa responded:
@BloggingGhana never met or had interactions with him personally was only praying n hoping to meet him 1 day but….. #RIPKomlaDumor
— Papa Nkpa (@SeeDeblay) January 24, 2014
Gameli noted:
I've never met or interacted directly with @BBCkomladumor. All the admiration comes from the way he delivered on his job. @BloggingGhana
— Gameli Adzaho (@gamelmag) January 24, 2014
Jeanne expressed her sadness:
.@bloggingGhana #RiSE first linked me to Komla. Sadly, we never met. His EXCELLENCE serves as a model for us all #RIPKomlaDumor
— Jeanne Clark (@JeanneC_IO) January 24, 2014
Kwame Anim commented on the moments he had with Komla:
He inspired creativity, growth and hard work. I cherish our few times of communicating. #RIPKomlaDumor @BloggingGhana
— Kwame Anim (@KwameAnim) January 24, 2014
Jemila commented on Komla's effort to help Africa tell its story:
There's a diff between telling Africa's story and helping Africa tell it's story. Komla Dumor embodied the latter – @jabdulai #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
GanyobiNaa pointed out that:
“I didn't think of him as a traffic reporter. His detail – he made the morning show something not to miss.” – @GanyobiNaa #RIPKomlaDumor
— BlogCamp14 (@BloggingGhana) January 24, 2014
Jeanne tweeted:
Thinking of the @JOYNEWSONTV & @Joy997FM family tonight. Honor the legacy by pursuing excellence! #RIPKomlaDumor pic.twitter.com/6jZuz4FKpt
— Jeanne Clark (@JeanneC_IO) January 24, 2014
Non-Ghanaian fans and friends of Komla also took to Twitter to express their sadness and views about Komla:
Ameyaw Debrah tweeted:
The last time I saw him was actually the first time we had a conversation and he encouraged me to continue with what I do. #RIPKomlaDumor
— Ameyaw Debrah (@ameyaw112) January 18, 2014
Julie Gichuru from Kenya also tweeted:
Down to earth, humorous & engaging, you did us proud. We shall miss you! May the Lord rest your soul in eternal peace. #RIPKomlaDumor
— Julie Gichuru (@juliegichuru) January 19, 2014
Robert Alai expressed his sadness:
Sad to lose #KomlaDumor. One of the few African reporters who told a balanced African story. Never exaggerated for fame. #RIPKomlaDumor
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) January 18, 2014
Trevor Ncube noted:
#BBCKomlaDumor was passionate about Africa and Africa telling her own story. #RIPKomlaDumor You played your role well
— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) January 18, 2014
Nana Asaase prayed:
I never met you in person; I pray to meet you in heaven. #RIPKomlaDumor
— Nana Asaase (@AsaaseNana) January 18, 2014
US Embassy Ghana expressed their condolence:
RIP Komla Dumor, great ambassador of Ghana & role model for journalists worldwide! #RIPKomlaDumor — US Embassy Ghana (@USEmbassyGhana) January 18, 2014
Errol Barnet tweeted:
Shocked and saddened to hear of @BBCKomlaDumor‘s untimely passing. Condolences to family. Big loss for #Africa & #journalism #RIPKomlaDumor
— Errol Barnett (@ErrolCNN) January 18, 2014
1 comment