When I heard Komla Afeke Dumor had passed away, I was shocked and befuddled. Komla had become a symbol of excellence, hard work, perseverance and integrity for our generation. 

Komla inspired all of us in so many ways. His professional story from the days of the Mobitel Traffic Watch, hosting the Super Morning Show on Joy FM in Accra, to becoming one of the most vibrant and articulate BBC broadcasters was what I would confidently refer to as living the “Ghanaian Dream”.

He made us believe that with confidence, hard work and the pursuit of excellence, we could excel anywhere we choose to live and work. Komla choose to take up an opportunity to work at the BBC about seven years ago because he had become an overwhelming success at Joy FM and needed a global platform to show his volcanic talent. Even after completing his Master’s Degree in Public Policy at the prestigious Harvard University, he returned to JOY FM and stayed on for a couple more years.

Komla took the BBC offer because he was looking for a more strategic and global platform to represent Africa’s interests and push our rich continent’s developmental agenda and we were not disappointed. This became apparent as he hosted programmes like the Africa Business Report and pushed for the Focus on Africa programme to be given a Television slot.

Like many of us, Komla was sick to his stomach about the uninspiring and heartbreaking narrative that was always broadcasted on issues relating to Africa. He wanted to show a different side of Africa, our culture, our grandeur, our fortitude and awesome potential.

Africa had become a continent that had been stigmatized and bastardized so much, sometimes, as Africans, we could hardly recognise and dignify our existence.

For so many years, we were overcome by external and self-inflicted agony and sadly, we still continue to act in ways that are not progressive and visionary, perpetuating a lamentable existence.

It was clear that we had to change the narrative! Komla wanted to contribute to that. So he decided to stand-out, act, speak and relate to people in ways that showed the true value of the sons and daughters of this great and progressive continent. Komla did this with panache, confidence and a genuine love for Africa and all things African.

Africa and Ghana needs more Komla Dumor’s who despite of their humble beginnings are determined to work hard, be visionary and live a life of integrity and excellence.

My beloved country and continent need more Komla Dumor’s! Rest in Peace my brother Komla. You came, you saw, you transformed! Your legacy will live on in our hearts!

The Author, Charles Kojo Vandyck is the Capacity Building Officer of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). For more information about the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and its interventions to promote participatory governance in West Africa, please visit www.wacsi.org