Somewhere in the very orderly
chaos that resulted from the passing of Komla Dumor, I lost count of the number
of glowing tributes. Everywhere I look, I saw one. Everywhere I went I heard
somebody making one comment or another (not that I get out much- thanks to
social media). That this young man of 42 inspires almost everyone is a truism
beyond dispute. Not even his failed attempt at becoming a physician could touch
him. In fact we might even point to it as another episode of great Komla lesson.
A lesson on purpose and calling if you like.
With the burden of a ministry
in performance on my shoulders, certain things do not escape my attention. To
me the wonderful things the tributes are saying are not as powerful as what they
are not saying.
Of the many glowing tributes,
I have read, a majority of which were simple facebook comments, I am yet to see
one that talks about how much money he made during his life time. Even the
greediest of journalist (and there are more than enough of such) are talking
and writing about his character as a person and most importantly how he did his
work. I couldn't help but to wonder, whether we are in the same Ghana where
people say everything these days is about money?
There are many who considered
his presence on the BBC platform an achievement. I am compelled to agree to
this simply because people are so proud of it and I really do not want to be a
kill-joy. But if I were to be honest, I will say that I really do not see the
big deal here. A well informed young man with a Harvard degree and many years
of broadcasting excellence hired by the BBC…come on! Besides he has a great
personality, character and work ethics to go with it. The BBC will have to be
out of their minds not hire him. The real achievement is what he did with the
opportunity.In a recent conversation with a
friend of the family, I learnt something interesting; Koml’s plan was to go to
the BBC and change the way they present Africa to the world. Ha! Why not for
the money?
In times like these I am
compelled by the forces of necessity to draw some parallels between the likes
of Komla, Madeba and the Osagyefo and the likes of Mobutu, Abacha and the many
others who we know were driven by money. The result is self evident and I need
not elaborate. Komla leaves us not with a way to make a lot of money but many
very valuable lessons on how to maximize one’s existence. By the Komla Dumor
method, the greatest broadcaster in Ghanaian/African history was created.
Leaving us with a powerful legacy that we need to protect with every iota of
integrity we can find. If we do not see a statue being erected at the
University of Ghana and another one somewhere in the Volta region and a road or
monument named after him, it will be a real shame.
Of the many leaders that have
been trained at our nation’s premier center of learning, too many have made
their living at the expense of the people. When such men come along with such
extraordinary legacy therefore, the institution must hold on to it with all
it’s got as the power of Good is the only thing that can overcome its many evils.
For those of us who cannot
seem to think beyond our need to eat, drink and have sex, we must see from the
examples that a man with a noble ambition never lacks. Solomon didn’t ask for money,
he asked for wisdom. Komla didn’t ask for money, he asked for an opportunity to
change. Madeba didn’t ask for money, he asked for the opportunity to bring
justice. Osagye didn’t ask for money, he asked for freedom.
It is by this means that these
men have achieved immortality like the many others who lived before them and
continue to live with us through their ever powerful legacies. As I write this,
I am reminded of the Marcus Aurelious’ meditations and what it has to say about
noble character. If you haven’t read it, now will be a good time. The path to
the maximization of existence is not that hard to find. The problem is; there
are not many who are willing to travel that road in spite of its many rewards.
I do not know what you do or
how you do it. Or even how much of it you do and the real reason why you do it.
I do not know how long you intend to exist on this plane and what your plan is
towards the maximization of the opportunity. But I do know that the clock doesn't stop ticking and that there will be a time when the world will have an
opportunity to make an assessment of your existence. Because it matters- you
were created to serve a certain purpose.
The question is, what will the
world say about you? Will you receive endless glowing tributes or will you fade
into nothingness after your huge “gbonyo party” while a few members of your
family go on a shopping spree at the expense of your lack of a lasting legacy?
Or will you spark inspiration in the hearts of the world like Komla has done
for you and the rest of us? The answer is performance. SPiD-UP.
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