Adieu, Tributes to Komla Dumor

Tributes have been paid all around the world to BBC TV presenter Komla Afeke Dumor, who died suddenly at his London home on Saturday at the age of 41. It is thought he suffered a heart attack. A Ghanaian, Dumor joined the BBC in 2007 and became a presenter for BBC World News and its Focus on Africa programme. Here are a selection of comments sent in by readers or posted on Twitter.

 

FROM GHANA & GHANAIANS
Komla was the trailblazer of modern radio journalism in Ghana. He was the icon, most of us local journalists looked up to, for inspiration. May he rest in peace. Justice Lee Adoboe, Accra, Ghana.

As a fellow Ghanaian I'm saddened to hear the death of Komla Dumor. As a child growing up in Ghana I always listened to his shows on the local radio and when I moved to London I was honoured to have met him in person whilst at work. It's very very sad to hear this news today I my prayers are with his family. Maximus, London.

I first met Komla while we were both students at the University of Ghana around 2000-2001. He was working at JOY FM while still studying at the time. He was affable, friendly and had a good sense of humour... He made a mark on radio journalism in Ghana, and was a great source of inspiration for many Ghanaian youth, especially, those who wanted to get into radio. May his soul rest in peace. Emmanuel, New York City, USA.

 

It is a sad day today, we have lost a talented journalist. I am still in shock. A true representation of Africa, strong, a true gentleman, a go getter. You will be missed Komla. Rickie Davies, Ghana.

 

I never knew him personally but always looked forward to his posts on Facebook. My Facebook page will not be the same without him. Every Ghanaian loved him and we still do. Forever in our hearts. My sympathies to his wife, children and entire family. Life is really unpredictable. Rest in Peace Benjamin Tetteh, Accra, Ghana.

 

We have lost a truly dedicated and illustrious journalist...Working for the BBC, Komla was a delight to listen to; very knowledgeable and inquisitive at the same time. In his prime, we have lost him painfully. Who will now speak for Africa as a true African? Augustine Adams, Accra, Ghana.

 

Our nation has lost one of its finest ambassadors BBC’s Komla Dumor was a broadcaster of exceptional quality and Ghana's gift to the world. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama - JDMahama via Twitter.

 

2010 WORLD CUP JERSEY

I remember his coverage at the world cup 2010. The time he took off his shirt to reveal the Ghananian football team jersey he was putting on. He was a light indeed to many particularly African journalists. He will be greatly missed for his tireless effort in journalism. Anderson Chinorumba, Gaborone, Botswana.

 

COVERAGE OF AFRICA & WORLD AFFAIRS

Mr. Dumor brought to the world the hope, vision, plight, and challenges of Africa in an understandable manner with his unique perspectives, interviews and coverage of stories that no other network covered. I am sorry to learn of his passing. My thanks to his family and BBC for sharing him with the world. My sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues and fans. Denise Sangster, San Francisco, California.

 

I loved this enthusiastic and dedicated man. My heart goes out to his family and friends in this tragic time. Hard to believe I will not see his smiling face and down to earth assessments of his home roots, Africa, again. A tragedy and one which I trust BBC will honour and respect to the best of their ability. Amongst all of the BBC's many great and famous human assets, Komla Dumor's name should today be irrevocably established. Jimbo, Pattaya, Thailand.

 

I am in deep shock, hearing of the early death of Komla Dumor. He added a different aspect on the world's developing stories, somehow making many, pleasant and more understandable, even with sensitive subjects. He will be really be missed by the viewing audience. Jack Wolstenholme, Kranevo, Bulgaria.

 

Komla has left a legacy in a media arena and a better understanding of Africans stories. He will be dearly miss by everyone. He was a true symbol of hope for those want to make change in people life through media. David-Mayen, Juba, South Sudan.

 

TWEETS FROM THE MEDIA WORLD

RIP Komla Dumor. Far too young to pass. Kay Burley of Sky News - KayBurley via Twitter.

 

BBC World TV's Komla Dumor dies - so very sad. A nice and talented man. And so young. Kevin Bakhurst, Managing Director, RTE News and Current Affairs, former Controller BBC News Channel - kevinbakhurst via Twitter.

 

KomlaDumor brought huge energy and humour to the BBC's reporting from Africa. He had such character and enthusiasm. I just can't believe it. I didn't know him well. But we chatted at a party last night and he seemed entirely fine. Stunned. Tweets from Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News International Editor - lindseyhilsum.

 

Our BBC family tonight mourns loss of one of our brightest & best – Komla Dumor. Big heart, big personality, brilliant broadcaster. Tweet from Mishal Husain, BBC News presenter - MishalHusainBBC.

 

My utmost condolences to Komla Dumor's family. I remember meeting him during an interview, and thinking: ace presenter. RIP. Tweet from H A Hellyer, academic and writer on Middle East issues - hahellyer.

 

Sad to hear the death of BBC’s Komla Dumor so vibrant & passionate. Africa & good journalism. Thoughts w. his family. Claudine Moore, PR and writer – Claudine Moore.

 

The death of an African broadcasting giant. Rest in Peace Komla Dumor. Tweet from Lance Guma, Managing Editor at Nehanda Radio - Lance Guma.