Komla Changed The Face Of Ghanaian Media During His Heydays - Nana Akomea

Is it not so weird how the number of dead people is increasing even though the earth stays the same size, so that one day there is not going to be room to bury anyone anymore? Truthfully, no one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the final destination we must all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of Life. All one needs to do is to pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living. The sudden death of Ghana�s, Africa and the World acclaimed broadcast journalist has come as a shock to many including the former Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akomea. Nana Akomea who is yet to believe Komla is no more described him as a �bigger inspiration to the youth� on his Facebook wall. Komla Dumor, until his unfortunate death was a presenter for BBC World News and fully in charge of BBC Focus on Africa programme. To Nana Akomea, Komla, also known as �Boss Playa� in his heydays in journalism, �changed the face of Ghanaian media so much� at a very young age. He has also called for a state funeral to be held for the BBC News World anchor and host of Focus on Africa. Below is the unedited tribute to the Late Komla Dumor by Nana Akomea of his Facebook wall� Komla burst onto the media scene like thunder, 1995-1996, almost from nowhere. It was an exciting time for me as well, getting elected in 1996 into parliament. Being one of the youngest members of parliament, Komla and myself hit it off immediately. He will seek my opinion as 'a voice of the youth' on various issues. In 2001, I was appointed deputy minister for tourism. Komla came to the office to congratulate me. Made some noise about me being an inspiration to him and the youth, in 2003, I was appointed minister for information. Komla again came to the office to congratulate me on being the youngest minister in cabinet. I slapped him on the back and asked him to stop that 'official' routine. I told him he was a bigger inspiration for young people, he been much younger than me and having changed the face of Ghanaian media so much. I was going to see president Kufuor to brief on some matter. I contemplated taking him along. He was thrilled at the idea so off we went. After my briefing, president Kufuor graciously accepted to meet Komla. They struck it off immediately. Komla was awed by president Kufuor's huge personality up close. Komla at that time was so dominant on prime time morning radio and President Kufuor was struck by the fact that Komla was still so young, barely 30 years old. The president thought Komla's work and inspiration for young people should go beyond radio. He called in DK, his secretary for his thoughts on the matter. DK mentioned a vacancy coming up at the board of the National Youth Council. A few weeks later, the vacancy opened and Komla graciously accepted the appointment. Sometime in 2004, I hosted a known and popular voice on the BBC�s African service who had come in for a one month rotation with joy fm. She gave the impression she had come in to impact more dynamism and professionalism into the local station. Shortly afterwards, I noticed she had dropped a lot of the earlier airs I had noticed. She had been obviously struck and overwhelmed by the hard work, drive and professionalism of the JOY FM morning show and news team, anchored by Komla. I was at the same time, pleasantly surprised and not surprised when in 1997 or so, he was picked out by the BBC itself. I knew it was only a matter of time for him to impact on the BBC and world media, as he had impacted on the Ghanaian media. All seemed firmly on course� And then this! RIP Komla. RIP boss player. Let the state funeral come on.