THE BOSS PLAYER IS GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

To the entire Dumor Family, to the folks who called Komla Dumor friend, to all those who connected to Komla through the power of radio and television, I grieve with you over our fallen hero, asking you to take heart in these difficult times. To rehash the words of gospel group, Casting Crowns; “Every tear you are crying, the Lord holds in His hands, He will never leave your side, though your hearts have been torn.” Particularly to Kwansema and the beautiful little kids, we add our faith to yours with our knees bowed in prayer, that the good Lord strengthens you in these extremely difficult times.

I never met Komla Dumor. My inspiration to venture into journalism did not come from him, although I used to listen to him when I was in Senior High School. But the height of excellence he achieved in his journalism career exhumed such high degrees of motivation that all young people in this practice would look up to. And I am no exception. To have risen through the ranks as a mobile traffic reporter on the back of a scooter with Accra based Joy FM, to the plush glass studios of the BBC world service in London is more than admirable. It epitomized the kind of bright future that God has gifted all young persons with, only requiring hope, determination and hardwork to grasp.

The Komla Dumor life story teaches us all that to achieve greatness, you don't necessarily have to start with much, nor do you need a silver quoted foundation. All that greatness requires are high hopes, immense passion and the commitment to succeed. The pinnacle you reached in your journalism career was testimony of the fact that in this life, what you learn by yourself is much more important that what the system you pass through teaches you. And we take this lesson really seriously.

Over the last week, so much has changed. Komla's wife is now a widow, the Focus of Africa Programme on BBC has a new host, and Ghana no more has that huge global ambassador. What began as an exciting new year with extra ordinary prospects is now heavy with mourning and weeping. And the higher ground we looked forward to you climbing post 41 years of life has unfortunately been cut short with such a brutal swiftness.

But there are a few things that haven't and would not change. The candle of inspiration Komla's achieved feet lit in our souls would continue to burn for a long time to come. Your trademark as “stimulator for strive towards distinction” in one's profession of choice would take forever to quench. And the fact that your portrait has still not disappeared from the lenses of our eyelashes, nor has your baritone voice ceased resounding in our ears, it goes without saying that the gaping hole that your loss has left in our hearts would take forever to fill.

Komla, I watched you on BBC TV the Friday night before your death, presenting the Focus on Africa show in style and dexterity as you always do. You were full of life and excitement. I never imagined death could be this closer at hand. What a shock!!! When I got the first call from Kapital Radio's Richard Dwomoh on Saturday afternoon enquiring about the accuracy of information being bundled about that the Boss Player had passed on, I downplayed it. I quizzed Richard, “ah, but I saw him on TV last night?” And Richard responded, “and so what, but death can happen at any time.” Even when some credible media outlets had reported the news quoting a colleague journalist of his, I insisted that until I hear from the family, or hear Joy FM and BBC report the story, it would remain a rumour to me.

But as Arthur Schopenhauer once said, truth reveals itself in three stages. First it is ridiculed, secondly it is fiercely and violently opposed, and then, it becomes self evident. So, reality finally dawned when Joy FM broke the news. That the angel of death had swept through the Dumor home, the BBC studios, and our television sets like a speedy hurricane through a vast desert land. My man, your man, our man Komla Dumor is gone.

Congratulations to you for how far you reached before your life ended, Komla. For everything you achieved, I think you lived your life to the fullest. It's not every day that you have the world's richest men and most influential political leaders grieve over the demise of an African man. As far as your death is concerned, I dare say that it wasn't you Komla, who lost the Saturday 18th January 2014 battle, we, your family, friends and those who looked up to you from a distance are the ones who have rather lost.

Komla Dumor lived a meaningful life. And for every one reading this piece, I pray that someday when God calls you and I, same would be said of us.

By Joseph Opoku Gakpo/www.josephopokugakpo.wordpress.com