 Herbert Mensah, a close friend of the late BBC media Icon Komla Afeke Dumor, has added his voice to calls on government to hold a State burial for the ace journalist.
Komla Dumor, until his sudden death, was gearing up to be the BBC news anchor to cover the 2014 World cup in Brazil.
He reportedly died at his home in London on Saturday after suffering from what is believed to be a cardiac arrest.
Following the shock associated with the country’s loss, high-profile media practitioners have been paying tribute to the late Komla with some even proposing that a State funeral be held in his honour.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Gold, Herbert Mensah expressed uttermost support for the nation to recognize the heroic efforts of his late friend. According to him, it would be of great honour to the deceased’s family.
Speaking further, Herbert Mensah recounted the last days before the demise of the late Komla Dumor.
He noted that before he passed away, he was under medication and supervision of his doctor after realizing the degree of stress and ‘frustration’ he was going through working for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The doctor, he stated, had been “approved by his family just to make sure that everything was right. He was put on new medications for quite a stress job. He’s been on a very high stress job.”
Despite his efforts to address his health challenges, Komla Dumor was working assiduously and relentless due to his passion for journalism and his determination to hoist the flag of Ghana on the international platform.
“My last encounter with him was at my home on Sunday in the UK. I was in the UK. And every time, I’m in the UK; Komla will come round and spend the day. So, he was with me on Friday…for the whole day; just me, himself…and wife and my daughter…Komla is like my kid brother.
“He was constantly been offered jobs…He’s been offered a massive six figures sum of money to leave the BBC but for him; his aim was really to bring about and make a change to the point that he would be able to come home. And actually contribute and make a bigger change to the direction in which the country is going.”
He also touted his friend as African’s media Icon who truly exhibited “honesty, integrity, (and) the way forward for motherland Ghana; for the continent of Africa.”
“He’s a journalist. He’s person who cares, who feels. He wants to make a difference. He wants to make a change…” he added.
Komla Dumor passed on to glory last Saturday, January 18, 2014.
Ghana has indeed lost a great star…may his soul rest in peace. |
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(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)