Komla Dumor. The final Journey

Renowned BBC TV presenter Komla Afeke Dumor will be buried tomorrow February 22 2014 during a private ceremony following a liturgical service at the forcourt of State house in Accra Ghana. Komla died suddenly at his London home on Saturday January 18 2004 of a suspected heart attack. He had presented the flagship Focus on Africa TV programme a day earlier

Kwansema Dumor (wife in glasses) and some family members file past coffin

A solemn mass is presently taking place at the Holy Spirit cathedral during which mourners filed passed the body of the deceased journalist.  Joy FM is streaming the service Live. Komla cut his journalistic teeth in Joy FM where he first served as a traffic reporter before hosting the stations popular Breakfast show

Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer Buckle 63, told mourners it was tragic Komla’s death happened just a month after he covered the funeral of South African anti apartheid leader and former president Nelson Mandela. He called on God to grant him “the gift of eternal life”. He said Komla devoted his whole life to and was “deeply committed” to the service of humanity.  He called on his close relatives and friends to release his spirit so he could travel in peace to meet his God and maker. Komla, rest in eternal peace, till we meet again, archbishop Buckle concluded his tribute to Komla.

Mrs Kwansema Dumor, wife of Komla had to be comforted by a close female relative as she filed past the brown Coffin to view his remains.

The 3 day funeral rites for the passage of the soul of Komla to eternity will end Sunday February 23^rd 2014 with a thanksgiving mass still at the Holy Spirit cathedral.

Archbishop Gabriel Buckle

His father Prof Ernest Dumor said on the eve of the funeral service, “these are very sad times for the family as we send Komla to his final resting place. Komla clearly touched many lives and we remain most grateful to God Almighty for that”..

 Elizabeth Ohene, another former BBC African Service editor told the BBC Newsday programme the 3 days dedicated to Komla will celebrate his life.” Ghanaians are notorious for our funerals” which is exactly what is happening in the Ghanaian capital Accra today and he next two days. “I think Komla above all else, was a good presenter” Mrs Ohene said in her tribute to the fallen journalist.

Former President Jerry Rawlings who had been criticized for not paying tribute to Komla earlier was among the hundreds of mourners who attended the church service at the cathedral.

Adieu Smiling Komla Dumor