On the fifth anniversary of the passing of Mr. Komla Afeke Dumor (1972-2014) SIA-Africa celebrates the Ghanaian journalist as our Person of the Month for January 2019.
Dumor, who worked for BBC World News and was the main presenter of its Focus on Africa program, was hailed upon his death at age 41 as one of Ghana’s “finest ambassadors, a broadcaster of exceptional quality, and Ghana’s gift to the World” by then President of Ghana, John Mahama. Dumor dedicated his work to journalists who are committed to telling stories from Africa. He believed there was so much more to the story of Africa than “war, famine and disease”.
In 2013, Dumor, known in his home country as “The Boss Player,” was named one of the 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine, where it noted, “It has been a coming of age for Kumla Dumor this year. He has established himself as one of the emerging African faces of global broadcasting, and he has considerable influence on how the continent is covered.”
At the time of his death, Dumor was the only West African newsreader on BBC World News. He was described by BBC’s Global News Director Peter Horrocks as “a leading light of African journalism – committed to telling the story of Africa as it really is.” The BBC has honored Dumor with an annual award given to a rising star of African journalism.
Dumor conducted interviews with a wide range of high-profile figures, including Kofi Annan, Bill Gates and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and anchored stories including the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, President Barack Obama’s trip to Africa, and the funeral of Nelson Mandela. He was educated at the University of Ghana and Harvard University. Mr. Komla left behind a wife, Kwansema and three children.
For his work, including bringing the stories of Africa to the world, we thank and salute Mr. Komla Dumor as SIA-Africa’s Person of the Month for January 2019.
Telling the African Story: Komla Dumor at TEDxEuston:
