International businessman, Herbert Amponsah Mensah eulogized late ace broadcaster Komla Dumor as someone who represented hope and opportunity for many Africans who have lost faith and confidence in the continent.

As the world marks the one year anniversary of Komla’s demise, Herbert Mensah says the greatest tribute Ghana can pay him is to live by the standards he set, which brought about greater transparency and accountability in governance.  

Komla Dumor, the former host of the Super Morning Show on Joy FM died suddenly on January 18, 2014 in his London home, after presenting his “Focus on Africa” programme on the BBC the day before. He was 41.

Komla was widely regarded as a leading light of African journalism: he was very passionate about telling the true story of a continent that was rapidly changing and taking its rightful place in the world.

“Komla Dumor will never be forgotten because he appealed to all age groups, and was there for the underprivileged, highlighting the human rights abuses in the system and projecting Africans who excelled in their various professions,” Mr. Mensah who is a former football administrator added. 

Komla Dumor, 2003 winner of the GJA Journalist of the Year, was the only West African newsreader on the BBC World News until his death.

According to Herbert Mensah, who is also the president of the Ghana Rugby Association, he has yet to come to terms with the fact that Komla is gone. “I remember that fateful Saturday morning when I asked my wife to go across to Komla’s house because Mawuena had called me and didn’t know what was going on and I still grieve after almost year,” he narrated.

A memorial service for the late Komla Dumor will be held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral at Adabraka in Accra, on Saturday, January 17. It will be followed by the unveiling of his tomb later the same day.