23/01/2014
Komla Dumor, An ace Ghanaian, London based BBC journalist, who passed on last Saturday, has shaken the foundation of journalism in Africa and beyond with his demise. Komla, the name that seemingly sounds, “Come la” in his native Ewe slang of English, signified the call.
The call to which he responded to at childbirth and perhaps the call to rest after several illnesses has struck him shortly before his demise.
Komla’s maker might have said “Come la” Komla, but his other side that resonates do more, as it sounds in his surname Dumor, lead him to type these words before his demise.
He typed “God has been very good to me. Last year I experienced a lot of illness. My BP nearly gave me a stroke but I trod on. Waking up at 2am and heading to work. Exhausted sometimes. Aching in my body and soul…mentally and emotionally drained, but I kept going.”
There is no doubt the “do more” part if him did more than most of us could, under the same circumstances. he persevered under challenging illness and hid his pain for long.
Dumor continued this way, “I smiled for the camera. I volunteered for extra shifts. I showed respect to my colleagues from directors to security guards. I took a lot of jealousy driven vicious insults and backstabbing from petty people without reply.” Dumor actually did more.
After his recent nomination as the BBC face of Brazil 2014, this young vigorous man may have work himself tirelessly to either maintain his approved standing in journalistic practice or set a new standard. His journalistic enthusiasm was very glaring in his reportage, of which Nelson Mandela's Memorial service was no exception.
The glowing tributes surfacing minutes after his demise tells the world that Komla Dumor was loved and at least touched so many hearts and minds with his little 41 years of life on earth.
We of the General Telegraph wish that you he could stay to do more, yes! We resound the slang “come la” but hope to hear his baritone voice again when all heed the command to come up out from their burial places. Then our cry “Come la” would yield its fullest result, being resurrection.
Even though Komla Dumor never reviewed our paper, he represented tenacity, fairness and balance, which form the foundation of our paper. And so we of The General Telegraph team will want to wish the entire family, friends and all his audience the best of wishes as we all mourn the demise of this great son of the land.
Komla Dumor hede nyuie! hede nyuie! hede nyuie!
