Dumor tributes: Kofi Annan, Bawumia, NDC, NPP and CPP pay respects

Tributes to ace journalist, Komla Dumor, have been flooding in since he passed away after a short illness at his home in London last Saturday.

The BBC Focus on Africa host and former presenter of the Super Morning Show on Joy 99.7 FM was revered across the world for his great broadcasting prowess and his dedication to telling “the African story”.

President John Mahama and former President John Kufuor have already paid glowing tributes to the memory of the man whose sense of humour and professionalism has been his hallmark.

Below are accolades from Kofi Anna, former UN Secretary General, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, NPP Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2012 elections, National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

Kofi Annan – “inspirational journalist”

Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has 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”.

“With Dumor’s sudden and tragic death, Africa has lost one of its brightest young talents…I shall miss his smile and wonderful sense of humour. May his soul rest in peace”, Mr Annan said.

Dr Bawumia – A great national representative lost

“It was with great sadness that I learnt about the passing of Komla Dumor. It is unbelievable. I kept hoping someone would come to say it was not true.

“My thoughts go out to his family. This is so devastating for all of us but we can only imagine what his family is going through at the moment.

“This life can be so cruel. Why do such good people die so young? However, we cannot question God. He knows best. This only serves to remind us of how insubstantial our lives here on earth are and why we should spend our lives serving and trying to make the lives of fellow human beings better like Komla did.

“William Shakespeare reminds us that “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more”.

“Ghana has lost a great representative on the global media landscape who had already achieved so much in his young life. Komla made every Ghanaian proud. The world has lost a kind human being.

May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace.”

NDC – “Committed Broadcaster”

The NDC described Mr. Dumor as one of Ghana’s distinguished broadcasters whose dedication and hardwork earned him both local and international reputation.

The NDC saw him as a “committed broadcaster, with an unquestionable urge to pursue the cardinal principles of his profession – ‘loyalty to the people’”, the release signed by the party’s General Secretarty, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, stated.

“We also remember him as an astute media practitioner with unflinching passion for the development of Ghana’s fledgling democracy which has become a beacon of Africa in democracy and multi-party practices. Indeed his role in Ghana’s democracy manifested in his desire to pursue issues of interest to their logical conclusion through interviews.

“The NDC on this occasion extends its sympathies to the family of the deceased, especially his wife and children.

“We wish also, to express our deepest condolences to the staff of Multi Media and the BBC, former and current employers respectively, before his demise.”

NPP –  “a Great Journalist”

The NPP is certain Komla Dumor was one of the brightest and best journalists Ghana, and Africa, has been blessed with over the last decade.

“The leadership and entire membership of the party wishes to convey our thoughts, sympathies and prayers to the wife, children and family of Komla Dumor in this time of mourning.

“We hope you will be consoled by your cherished memories of Komla and be comforted by the presence of family and friends”, said the release signed by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Party Chairman.

“Ghana is grateful for his dedication, pride in our country and service to Africa and the world.

“It was through hard work and determination that he was, in November 2013, named in the list of 100 most influential Africans, as he established himself as one of the emerging African faces of global broadcasting, who had considerable influence on how the continent is covered.

“As a presenter on the BBC World News and its ‘Focus on Africa’ programme, Africa’s energy and enthusiasm seemed to shine through every story Komla told.

“We will miss him dearly and it is our prayer that God grants him rest and safely keeps him in His bosom.”

CPP – “A life worth emulating”

Below is the full press release signed by Abu Sakara, the party’s 2012 Presidential Candidate:

“Indeed there is a saying that good people do not live for long.

“It came to me as a surprise and it was difficult to believe that the Great Broadcaster I saw just less than 24 hours on Television is no more.

“I wish to send my deepest condolence to the Family of Late Komla Dumor, especially his wife and Children. Also to the Media in Ghana, Africa and the World at large.

“Indeed we have lost a great son of our land.

“Having lived for 41 years, I will say that late Komla Dumor’s life is worth emulating. He lived for mankind and impacted positively on the lives of several millions of people in the whole world.

“He focused on issues of importance and development to Ghana and African. He practiced Journalism with decency and proved to the world that Africans Journalist can also rise to the top.

“Komla Dumor laid it all on the line in the pursuit of the common good. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life!

“Such sacrifice for the common good is the single distinguishing feature that separates the great from the mediocre.

“The late Komla Dumor was a great Journalist with full of promise.

“The echoes of his name have travelled the canyons of the world and back to await him in a silent grave. But the throb of our hearts will forever beat out a refrain in his memory…..Komla Damirifa Due, Rest is Perfect Peace. Amen.”