Celebrating the life of Komla Dumor

I'm glad to see that the BBC World Service is to set up a foundation together with the family of the late Komla Dumor. His funeral took place this weekend in Accra. He died suddenly on Saturday January 18th 2014 from a cardiac arrest at his London home. He was only 41.

The outpouring of tributes on Facebook, Twitter, as well as to the BBC website has been just amazing. Over 50,000 reactions. Google hangout streamed his funeral live this weekend for four hours. If you watch the TEDx presentation he gave in Euston about telling Africa's story, then you understand the power of great communicator. He was a great listener - and a brilliant storyteller.

A report on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and on the family website, indicate that the family and the the BBC will work together to establish a memorial foundation which will, among other things, seek to promote excellence in journalism, with particular emphasis on broadcast journalism. This is excellent news because it means his work will continue.

The foundation will also initiate programmes for the development of African youth as well as the education of children, including his own three children, Elinam, Elorm and Araba.

I hope they get the support from organisations and individuals from across the continent. Because, as he points out in his excellent TEDx presentation, communication across borders is so important across the African continent. More people need to watch that talk!

Lyse Doucet of the BBC gave a great tribute back in January. Here was somebody who looked for the light as well as the dark.



And this is fitting tribute in song.