Komla Dumor begins journey 'home' today
The three-day funeral rites of Komla Dumor, BBC senior broadcast journalist and former presenter of Joy FM's Super Morning Show, begin today.
The ceremony begins this morning with a solemn requiem mass.
That will be followed by public viewing of the body which will enable many people, particularly the youth, to pay their last respects to him.
A liturgical service will be held at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, February 22, 2014, followed by a private family burial.
The curtains will be drawn on the funeral rites with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, on Sunday, February 23, 2014. Komla's death
Dumor, 41, died in his London home on Saturday, January 18, this year.
The body was flown to Ghana on February 3, 2014.
Born in Accra on October 3, 1972, Dumor graduated from the University of Ghana with a BSc in Sociology and Psychology, after studying medicine initially.
The impact of his death has been felt among a broad spectrum of both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians in the past few days, not only because of its sudden nature but also because as a journalist, he had made a mark unsurpassed by many within a short time of plying that trade.
He moved from an earlier ambition of becoming a medical doctor and strayed into journalism, albeit not without controversy when he was adjudged Journalist of the Year in 2003 by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Unruffled by that storm, he rose to become one of Ghana's finest in broadcast journalism and within a short time, the BBC poached him from Joy FM, to become their spearhead in two major programmes on radio and television — BBC Focus on Africa and African Business Report.
Before then, between 2007 and 2009, he had hosted Network Africa for the BBC World Service and was also one of the lead presenters for BBC World News' European morning segment.
The funeral rites are being attended by a high-powered delegation from the BBC led by Peter Horrocks, Director of Global News, BBC; and Solomon Mugera, Editor, African Service, BBC World Service. Tributes
Dumor's death has attracted tributes from people of all walks of life including some of Ghana's illustrious figures.
President John Dramani Mahama--- “a friend and a patriot”.
Eulogising the late Dumor, President Mahama, in a tribute, described the deceased as a friend, brother and patriot, who cared very deeply about Ghana and Africa, and also about global leadership that served people and improved lives. Kofi Annan — "inspirational journalist"
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan described the death as "tragic".
Writing on his Facebook Wall, Mr Annan described Dumor as an "inspirational journalist, always determined to find facts and report on the truth". President J.A. Kufuor — “A bright broadcaster with great promise”.
“He was only 41 and looked so fit. It is unbelievable that such a thing will happen to him now. I knew him and at a point I asked him to serve on a board for the youth. He was a social person, always with a smile and quite polite to the society. A bright broadcaster with great promise but who has been cut off midstream.” GJA Night of Vigil
In a related development, before the public pays its last respects to the departed broadcaster, the GJA on Tuesday evening held a night of tributes in memory of two of its members – Dumor and Samuel Hesse of Metro TV. The two died few hours apart on January 18, reports Mary Mensah Sam Korankye Ankrah
Preaching the sermon, Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah, General Overseer of Royalhouse Chapel International, said the death of the two, though devastating, should be seen as a blessing and a victory.
He said Komla Dumor's life on earth should challenge and inspire other journalists and the youth to learn from him as a young man with faith who lifted the flag of Ghana so high. Affail Monney
The President of the GJA, Mr Affail Monney, described the losses as a double tragedy of shattering magnitude and devastating consequences which hit the media fraternity and the nation as a whole.
He said Dumor's fearless disposition to place Ghana first was unmatched while Hesse's commitment and sense of duty was unique. Afenyi Dadzie
Mrs Afenyi Dadzie, a former GJA President, praised Dumor for his unbridled professionalism and dedication to duty that raised standards of journalistic ethics and promoted accountability in governance. Major Albert Don Chebe (Rtd),
Major Albert Don Chebe (Rtd), Director-General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, said Komla's unique personality surmounted all obstacles and made him a brand icon for Ghana and the rest of Africa. James Harding
BBC Director of News, James Harding, had also said: “It is hard to believe that Komla is no longer with us because, in every way, he was larger than life.” Ken Ashigbey
On the vigil night, Mr Ken Ashigbey, the Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Ltd, who broke down in tears when delivering his tribute, described Komla Dumor as hardworking and a person who stood for excellence.