Komla Dumor remembered
A musical performance has been held in Accra to commemorate the third year of the passing of Komla Afeke Dumor, a broadcaster of the BBC. The performance, by the Holy Spirit Cathedral Choir, was somehow solemn, in keeping with the sombreness of remembering the departed, and in another instance, animated, expressing hope.
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The audience at the show saw skilful renditions of classical pieces by G. F. Handel, d J. S Bach, among other great composers, by the Holy Spirit Cathedral Choir and other Ghanaian soloists.
The choir, formed in 1948, sang in clear and high tones to the admiration of family and friends gathered at the cermony.
The organist, Mr Peter Twum Barimah, was skilful as he expertly moved his fingers on the keys, while the conductor, Mr Anthony Kobina Yebuah, who has been the director of the choir for almost 40 years, conducted those present to sing together with the choir in memory of the departed,
Bass soloist, Mr Kobina Dompreh, with Ms Paula Jiagge, and Ms Mary Kumadey, held the attention of those at the event with their high tones.
Remembrance
Remembering the late broadcaster and BBC journalist, a Founder of the Komla Dumor Memorial Foundation, Professor Ernest Dumor, expressed his gratitude to God for bestowing on all the gifted Komla Afeke Dumor.
“As I reflect on the life of Komla Dumor, I realise how much gift or mercy God had bestowed on him… as I go through the things that Komla has done, I am overwhelmed by the blessings that God has bestowed on us through him,” he said.
Apart from being a celebrated journalist, the late Komla Dumor was also a pianist.
The musical concert in memory of him, therefore, was to highlight another of his talents as friends and family commemorated him.
Prof. Dumor, who currently serves as the Chair of the Komla Dumor Centre for Broadcast Journalism at the African University College of Communication, said his focus at the third anniversary of the death of the broadcaster was to “sing the praises of God from whom all good things flow.”
He also expressed his gratitude to administrators of the Holy Spirit Cathedral, who had supported the organisation of the event on the premises, as well as the choir of the church.
Prof. Dumor, who is the Chairman of the Patrons’ Council of the Holy Spirit Cathedral Choir, said the choir had been by his side singing in empathy at the death of his wife, Mrs Cecilia Dumor and also Komla Dumor.
The Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Filton-Mensah delivering a sermon at the ceremony. Pictures: BENEDICT OBUOBI
Concert pianist
In her statements, another Founder of the Komla Dumor Foundation, Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, recounted how as children, Komla would insist that he had all the music notations in his head when told to be attentive by his mother.
“He had an uncanny ability to commit loads of musical notations to mind,” she said.
Mrs Trebarh expressed the belief that Komla Dumor would have aspired to become a concert pianist if he had lived on.
Reflection
In his reflections, the Very Rev. Fr Samuel Filton-Mensah said the late Komla Dumor epitomised the person, who with the right set of values and a deep sense of identity, attained self-actualisation.
He said Komla Dumor made an impact on all who encountered him.
“He reminds us to look within ourselves… in whatever capacity we find ourselves, he reminds us not to rest but continue to press on to make a mark,” Very Rev. Fr Filton-Mensah said.
Some members of the Dumor Family joined in singing a hymn