Ace BBC reporter Komla Dumor passed away at his residence in London on Saturday due to a cardiac arrest. He was 41.
"Komla's many friends and colleagues across Africa and the world will be devastated as we are by this shocking news." said the director of BBC Global News, Peter Horrocks. ''Dumor was adored by people working with him and we will miss him deeply. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
The reporter is survived by wife Kwansema Dumor and 3 children.
Born on 3 October in Accra, Ghana, Dumor graduated with sociology and psychology degrees despite studying medicine initially at the University of Ghana. He also possesses a Master's degree in public administration from Harvard University
Dumor joined the British Broadcasting Company in 2007 after working in broadcast journalism in Ghana for almost a decade, where he had won the Journalist of the Year award. He hosted Network Africa for BBC world service between 2007 and 2009 and later went on to become a conspicuous part of The World Today Programme, wherein he served the channel as a lead presenter and also contributed substantially towards 'Focus on Arica'.
The reporter's professional skills, methods & techniques enabled him to be recognized, identified and acknowledged with suitable accolades world-wide and hence, was considered as one of the most influential Africans in the modern day world. He was also attributed with a prestigious title of 'Leading light of African Journalism'.
During his phenomenal career, Dumor interviewed numerous high-profile personalities, which included Kofi Annan and Bill Gates and also covered the funeral of erstwhile South African President Nelson Mandela. As a wide-ranger in the field of journalism and that of a presenter & a reporter, the 41-year-old said that the passing of Mandela would be one of those moments that will stay with him forever.
The eminent journalist, through his unique way of hosting, presenting or for that matter airing shows and programmes, has made a humongous impact on the world's viewers and listeners thereby taking television and radio, in terms of news and media, to a whole new level.
The legend's absence will be indubitably missed by the media world, while his legacy would continue to remain eternal.
