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Late BBC and Joy FM broadcaster Komla Dumor turned down 'juicy' offers from African governments including that of his home country Ghana, to occupy top positions and chose to follow his dream of telling the African story, says Herbert Mensah, a close friend of Komla's. According to him, Komla�s love and passion for bringing change in the practice of journalism in Africa and the world, had a stronger influence on him than personal gains. The iconic broadcaster died suddenly on January 18, 2014 at his home in London after presenting his BBC radio programme, Focus on Africa, the previous day. Family and friends of the late Dumor held a series of activities over the weekend to mark the first anniversary of his demise and also unveiled his tomb at the family house in Accra. Speaking on Joy FM, Monday, January 19, 2015, Herbert Mensah said Komla�s desire to see change �is about we the living�.�He would hope that new [and] younger people will come and take up the mantle and become bigger and better than himself,� the ex-chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club told Kojo Yankson, host of the Super Morning Show. He revealed komla �was offered public positions which he turned down�. �Not only in Ghana; there were other governments who offered him huge sums and there were leaders of business and boards in industry who [in 2014] had wanted him to join their own foundations and boards to see what they could do in Africa�. Describing the void created as a result of Komla�s demise, Mr. Mensah noted; �Every single day, there�s a gap that will never be filled�. �I don�t close my eyes and see tears, I see that big booming smile�� �I�m humbled by him and�I feel a little [maybe] bit silly that I didn�t realise that I was such a god friend to him,� he added. Honouring Komla�s memory In a separate development, the BBC where Komla worked until his death, has launched an award in honour of its presenter, Komla Dumor, a year after his unexpected death at 41. Komla Dumor was an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster who in his short life made an extraordinary impact - in Ghana, in Africa and around the world.