Komla, who was born in Accra, Ghana in 1972, was one of Ghana’s most prominent journalists. Komla joined the BBC in 2006 after spending a decade of journalism in Ghana. While reporting in Ghana, he received the Ghana Journalist of the Year Award. From 2006 to 2009, he was involved in hosting Network Africa for the BBC World Service before joining The World Today programme.

Komla became the first host of Africa Business Report on BBC World News in 2009. At the beginning of this year, he was named one of New African’s 100 most influential Africans in 2013.

Peter Horrocks, Director of BBC Global News, said that Komla’s friends and colleagues across Africa will be devastated. 

He added that Komla was a leading light of African journalism and he was committed to telling the story of Africa as it is. He also mentioned that Africa’s energy and enthusiasm seemed to shine through with every story that Komla told. Horrocks said that Komla would be missed. 

Horrocks expressed, “The sympathies of all his colleagues at the BBC are with his family and friends.”

BBC’s Director of News, James Harding also spoke about Komla’s death. “It is hard to believe that Komla is no longer with us, because in every way, he was larger than life. He had such an infectious enthusiasm for life, for Africa, for the story.”

Harding added that Komla was an inspiring journalist both on and off the screen. He mentioned that Komla played a singular role in transforming the coverage of Africa, not only for the BBC but broadcasting in general. Harding went on saying that Komla brought deeper understanding, a great deal of courage, a joyous charm, and boundless charisma to his work.

Harding ended by saying: “He [Komla] was adored by the people who worked with him and we will miss him deeply. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.