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Revision as of 20:08, 25 January 2014
Komla Afeke Dumor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 October 1972 |
| Died | 18 January 2014 (aged 41) |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Education | University of Ghana Harvard University |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Notable credits |
|
| Spouse | Kwansema Dumor |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives |
|
Komla Afeke Dumor (3 October 1972 – 18 January 2014) was a Ghanaian journalist, who was well known internationally as the main presenter of the BBC World News programme Focus on Africa.[1][2]
Early life and education
Dumor was born in Accra, Ghana; his father, Ernest Dumor, was a professor of sociology and his mother, Cecelia Dumor, had a Master's degree in Mass Communication.[3] Also, his grandfather was Philip Gbeho, composer of the Ghanaian national anthem.[4] Dumor initially did his pre-clinical medicine at the University of Jos, Nigeria, but left for his home country where he graduated from the University of Ghana with a BSc. in Sociology and Psychology and from Harvard University with an MA in Public Administration.[2]
Broadcast career
Dumor started as the morning show host for Joy FM[5] in Accra, Ghana, and was the 2003 winner of Journalist of the Year award given by the Ghana Journalists Association.[2]
In 2006 Dumor joined the BBC African Service in London[6] as host of the radio programme Network Africa. From 2008 to 2012 he presented The World Today on the BBC World Service. In 2011 Dumor began presenting the World News and Africa Business Report on BBC World News television. When the latter was relaunched in 2013; fellow BBC correspondent Lerato Mbele was chosen as host.
In a list published in New African magazine (December 2013) he was named as one of the 100 most influential Africans of the year 2013, with the citation: "It has been a coming of age for Kumla Dumor this year. The presenter of Focus on Africa, the BBC’s flagship and first-ever dedicated daily TV news programme in English for African audiences, broadcast on BBC World News, has established himself as one of the emerging African faces of global broadcasting. As a lead presenter for BBC World, Dumor has considerable influence on how the continent is covered."[7][8]
At the time of his death, Dumor was the only West African news reader on BBC World News. In the words of BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Mishal Husain, "Komla developed his own unique on air style, seamlessly moved between TV and radio & influenced Africa coverage across the BBC."[9] He was also described by Peter Horrocks, the BBC's global news director, as "a leading light of African journalism - committed to telling the story of Africa as it really is."[9]
He conducted interviews with a wide range high-profile figures, including Kofi Annan, Bill Gates[6] and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,[10] and the many important news stories that he anchored included the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, President Barack Obama's trip to Africa, and the funeral of Nelson Mandela.[6]
Personal life
In 2001 Dumor married Kwansema Quansah with whom he had three children.[2][6]
Death
Dumor died on 18 January 2014 in his London home after a cardiac arrest, having been on air the day before.[11][2] President of Ghana John Mahama said in a message on Twitter that Dumor was one of Ghana's "finest ambassadors" and "was a broadcaster of exceptional quality and Ghana's gift to the world."[12]
References
- ^ "BBC announces major new focus on Africa". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "BBC World TV's Komla Dumor dies at 41". 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ Obituary in The Independent by Marcus Williamson.
- ^ ""Komla Dumor's Ghana", BBC World Service". Bbc.co.uk. 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ Komla Dumor biography, BBC World Service, 11 September, 2006.
- ^ a b c d Solomon Mugera, "Komla Dumor obituary - BBC broadcaster who made a substantial contribution to the coverage and greater understanding of Africa" (obituary), The Guardian, 21 January 2014.
- ^ "2013: 100 Most Influential Africans", New Africa, December 2013.
- ^ "Hannah Tetteh, Komla Dumor, other Ghanaians among 100 most influential Africans 2013", GBN, 28 November 2013.
- ^ a b Press Association, "BBC presenter Komla Dumor dies", theguardian.com, 18 January 2014.
- ^ Chimamanda Adichie, "Komla Dumor: We Have Lost A Star", Premium Times, 19 January 2014.
- ^ "Komla Dumor is dead". GhanaWeb. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Twitter". Retrieved 18 January 2014.
External links
- Obituary in The Independent by Marcus Williamson
- BBC World News: "Africa Business Report" (2009), YouTube.
- About Us, BBC World Service
- Focus and Network presenters, BBC World Service.
- "Ghana: Komla Dumor Anchors BBC Africa Business Report",by Cephas, 21 August 2009, allAfrica.
- Jason Von Berg and Nikita Camacho, "Video: Komla Dumor - The man behind the suit", DStv, 18 November 2013.
- "Komla Dumor - The big anchor with the patience of a saint", Joy Online, 4 December 2013.
- "Telling the African Story", Komla Dumor, TEDxEuston.