ACCRA - Ghana on Friday mourned BBC presenter Komla Dumor, one of the nation's most revered journalists, who died of a heart attack last month at the age of 41.


A presenter on the British broadcaster's World News channel and its "Focus on Africa" programme, Dumor was honoured by former colleagues and dignitaries including Ghana's ex-president Jerry Rawlings at Catholic Cathedral in Accra.


"Komla was a people person," said Kwami Sefa Kayi, a journalist who worked with Dumor.


"So even though he was such a huge global icon he was still the ordinary guy on the street for most people. Everybody has been affected by Komla both alive and in death," Kayi added.


Dumor joined BBC radio in 2007 after working as a broadcaster in Ghana, where he won the 2003 Ghana Journalist of the Year award.


He moved to the television network in 2009.


He co-anchored the BBC's coverage of Nelson Mandela's funeral in December, one of many high-profile assignments.


"Undoubtedly, Ghana has lost one of the finest journalists and broadcasters of our time," Minister of Trade and Industry Haruna Iddrisu told reporters outside the funeral. "He demanded honesty and sincerity from public officials."
AFP       As is customary in Ghana, they are being held over three days.
The funeral service itself is taking place on Saturday in the forecourt of State House in the capital, Accra.
It will be followed by a private family burial and there will then be a thanksgiving service at the capital's Roman Catholic cathedral on Sunday.
Friday saw a requiem mass at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Accra, where his body then lay in state until the funeral.
Ghanaian President John Mahama said the nation had lost one of its finest ambassadors with the death of Mr Dumor.
"He was very passionate about Africa, he was very passionate about Ghana. I think Komla is one of the gifts we gave to the world," Mr Mahama told the BBC.
Mr Dumor, who featured in New African magazine's November 2013 list of 100 most influential Africans, joined the BBC as a radio broadcaster in 2006 after a decade of journalism in Ghana.
He was presenter for BBC World News and its Focus on Africa programme.
The fact that Saturday's funeral service is taking place in the forecourt of State House reflects Mr Dumor's profile in Ghana, correspondents say.
He developed his reputation as a charismatic presence on radio and television on a global stage when he went on to join the BBC.
He first presented the BBC World Service African breakfast programme, Network Africa, before launching Africa Business Report on BBC World TV.
His death on 18 January after a heart attack at his London home prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the world.
He left a wife and three children.
Former UN chief Kofi Annan, who is Ghanaian, said Africa had lost one of its brightest young talents.
"Komla was an inspirational journalist, always determined to find the facts and report on the truth. I shall miss his smile and wonderful sense of humour," he said.