Another Falling Hero Of Our Time: A Tribute To The Late Komla Dumor

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted (ECCLESIATES 3: 2). Life is a journey and whatever we do here on earth, we will definitely be leaving this earth one day whether we like it or not, whether we are ready and prepared for it or not, we are all passing through. As the song writer once wrote 'this word is not my home, I'm just passing through' it is very important that we have this at the back of our mind so as to remind us all that, one day one day, we will be leaving this planet earth.

Many people have died and some are dying and in fact, it is possible to say that, some will be dying or leaving us behind in tears and pains, creating some sense of emptiness within us of which we have no control over. As we read from the passage above; it is clear to us that, there is time for everything under the sun. "A time to be born and a time to die." On the 18th January, 2014; I was sadly informed by a friend about the death of Mr. Komla Dumor, one of our own hero, who we really adore and respected during our early years in Ghana. It was a great shock and blow to my heart to lose such a great and intelligent individual.

As we all have heard, the 41-year-old former Joy FM and BBC superstar, died suddenly at his London home on Saturday January 18, 2014 of "cardiac arrest". I immediately log onto my social media site only to see the number of tributes being poured in from across the world. The only question I asked myself was WHY? I wanted to understand why some young people die of cardiac arrest? The death of Komla, reminded me of the death of Nelson Mandela, just few month ago, of which the world is trying to get over and move on then this one hearing the death of 'NYE BRO' is so heart breaking.

Personally, living in the United Kingdom, I have watched Mr. Komla Dumor on several occasions presenting the BBC World News and its Focus on Africa programmes. I tried never to miss any of his programs. Mr Dumor is an exceptional human being and unparalled individual who gave his best to the purpose and mission he was created for on earth. He understood the value of his assignment and followed it through the core. I have learn so many things since his death on the 18th Jan; 2014 and the four most vital things are;

• Discovering the source of your life (GOD)
• Discovering of oneself in the pursuit of one's dreams

• Developing the spirit of excellence in whatever you one is called to do.

• Respecting and valuing humanity.

These FOUR things radiate seriously in my spirit each day and endeavour to follow my purpose faithfully with these and even more. It is also paramount that, we learn lessons from life because life is a school and until we take some stocks for our lives, we can't be productive and maximise life fully. A man's life is not measured by the number of years thy have lived but it is measured by the impact they have made within the short period of years they lived.

I posted an article on the 11th Jan, 2014; as why we all need to purposes in life regardless of other men's opinions of us. I pointed out that, the directions of our dreams, purposes, goal and objectives are all rooted in the choices we make. I strongly believe that Mr. Komla Dumor had made some serious decision to see his dream come true regardless of the life challenges he faced and is still facing all of us.

In the face of life's hurdles, Mr. Dumor focused on the very thing in life and that was to be the best African journalist in his time. Interestingly, he never allowed other people's attitude to hindered, prevented, stopped, or limited him from achieving his dream. Many of us have potentials embedded inside of us; but because we fear men and their negative comments, we shut our doors to great opportunities and regret later when we discover that life is about living our individual dreams. We will pray with pain for another chance to be given to us again.

This was not Mr. Dumor's attitude. He fought all negative comments about him with humility and tenacity to live his purpose. He foresaw the burning desire of his dream, embedded within him and became very obsessed with it ensuring that, he give the best and professional report on Africa. I also observed that, Mr Komla Dumor ensured that, he maintained a positive attitude to chisel the seed of journalism out of him like a volcano spreading it lava across Europe and beyond just to project the true image of African countries. 'The Boss Player' oh; WHAT A BIG LOST TO AFRICA?

We have been denied of our honour and pride by the spirit of death of a man, who thought us especially the Ghanaian youth both at home and those of us on Diaspora, to live our dreams irrespective of our negative past, or failures. Mr Dumor in his short lived life, demonstrated to most of the Ghanaian youth, how vital is it not to be limited by their backgrounds but to be able to use it as a ladder to climb up to level, God has designed for them individually. The most shocking thing is that, he kept a genuine smile always to the point that; nobody knew he was going through any pain or stress. His smile, professionalism, dedication, commitment and captivated a lot of people toward him.

This world is not my home I'm just a-passin' through My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue The angels beckon me from heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like you If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me from heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore. I have a loving mother just over in glory land And I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand She's waiting now for me in heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like you If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore Just over in glory land we'll live eternally The saints on every hand are shouting victory Their songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore And I can't feel at home in this world anymore Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like you If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore: Songwriters Jr. Brumley Oh death; what have you done to humanity? You have taken away another jewel from us. Yes many have fallen but another great person has fallen. Mr Komla Dumor; May your soul rest in peace with your maker. You have done what you came here to do and your time came so suddenly but your maker understands. We wish you a safe journey into eternity.

Farewell.