The 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony, a truly historic occasion hosted for the first time outside Ghana’s capital, Accra, culminated on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Held at the majestic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, under the distinguished patronage of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the event brought together national dignitaries including President John Dramani Mahama and acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to celebrate excellence in Ghanaian media. The ceremony’s central theme, "Safeguarding Ghana's future: The role of the media in promoting peace, security and the fight against galamsey," highlighted the indispensable contribution of journalism to national development, security, and environmental accountability, particularly in addressing the menace of illegal mining.

Godwin Asediba of TV3 and 3FM was crowned the 2024 Journalist of the Year, receiving the GJA's most coveted award. Asediba, an accomplished investigative reporter, filmmaker, and news anchor, was recognized for his consistent dedication to human-interest stories, which aim to expose injustice and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. He is the 29th recipient of the GJA's top award and notably, the 10th recipient of the prestigious BBC Komla Dumor Award, underscoring his commitment to presenting nuanced, confident narratives of Africa to a global audience.

The Multimedia Group Limited (MGL), Ghana's largest independent media organization and foremost private media conglomerate, demonstrated unparalleled dominance by sweeping eight awards across various categories. This impressive performance reaffirmed MGL's position as a leading force in Ghana’s media landscape, showcasing its continuous commitment to quality, influence, and strategic linguistic diversity across both English and vernacular markets, spanning television, radio, and digital platforms.

Among MGL’s significant institutional and programme awards, JoyNews’ current affairs programme, The Probe, was honored as the Best Radio/TV Programme (English Language, 2024). This prestigious recognition solidifies The Probe's standing as Ghana's leading platform for in-depth, high-impact journalism and analytical discussions in English. Asempa FM’s flagship political talk show, Ekɔsiisɛn, also secured the award for Best Radio/TV Programme (Ghanaian Languages, 2024), acknowledged for its profound impact and widespread influence in Akan-language political discourse, particularly its heated debates and role in setting the national agenda. This GJA award, coupled with a prior distinction at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Awards, marks a rare double recognition for 'Ekɔsiisɛn', highlighting its unparalleled quality and commercial success.

MGL also celebrated several individual triumphs. JoySports journalist Muftawu Nabila Abdulai was named the 2024 Sports Journalist of the Year, achieving this prestigious honour for the second consecutive year. His award recognized his outstanding work in producing compelling sports stories, in-depth storytelling, and investigative features across television, radio, and digital platforms. Anas Sabit of JoyNews received the award for Best Reporting in Domestic Tourism, a recognition that underscores MGL's commitment to specialized reporting that contributes to national development and cultural awareness, notably supporting Ghana's tourism initiatives. Furthermore, Ohemeng Tawiah of Luv FM (Joy News) was awarded for Best Illegal Mining Reporting for his piece titled "Last Hour Mining," reflecting the media's critical role in environmental accountability. Clinton Yeboah, a student journalist from Luv FM and KNUST, earned the Student Journalist of the Year award for his report on "The Cost Barrier: Underfunded NHIS leaves patients stranded."

Further strengthening MGL’s portfolio, Adom TV was crowned the Best Akan TV Station of the Year, affirming its leadership in delivering compelling, high-quality, and influential Akan-language content that penetrates both urban and rural markets and makes critical national discussions accessible to the masses. JoyFM's renowned entertainment show, “Showbiz A-Z,” hosted by Kwame Dadzie, was recognized as the Best Radio Entertainment Programme. This accolade celebrates its dominance as an influential voice in Ghana's arts and entertainment industry, known for its deep-dive analyses, exclusive interviews, and balanced critique of the creative economy, often influencing policy and public perception.

The 29th GJA Awards ceremony, which processed 321 entries from journalists nationwide, was significantly supported by headline sponsor KGL Group, with its Executive Chairman, Alex Apau Dadey, addressing the attendees. Major co-sponsors included Special Ice Mineral Water and Tobinco Pharmacy. As a major incentive, it was announced that the top three winners of the night would be treated to a fully paid trip to Turkey, sponsored by Turkish Airlines, further emphasizing the prestige of the awards. This year's ceremony not only celebrated journalistic excellence but also reinforced the media’s profound responsibility in "Safeguarding Ghana's future" by promoting peace, security, and actively combating illegal mining.

Below is the comprehensive list of winners at the 29th GJA Awards:

• Overall Best Journalist: Godwin Asediba (TV3, Media General) - for "Dreams in Shambles"
• Best Reporting in Domestic Tourism: Anas Sabit (JoyNews) - for "Monkey Sanctuary"
• Student Journalist of the Year: Clinton Yeboah (Luv FM / KNUST) - for "The Cost Barrier: Underfunded NHIS leaves patients stranded"
• Best Illegal Mining Reporting: Ohemeng Tawiah (Luv FM / Joy News) - for "Last Hour Mining"
• Sports Journalist of the Year: Muftawu Nabila Abdulai (JoySports / MY JOYONLINE) - for "Trey Haun: The boy whose ride lifts the Ghanaian flag high and inspires a community to dream big."
• Best Radio/TV Programme (Ghanaian Languages, 2024): Ekɔsiisɛn (Asempa FM / Asempa TV)
• Best Radio/TV Programme (English Language, 2024): The Probe (JoyNews / Multimedia)
• Best Akan/Twi TV Station: Adom TV
• Best Radio Entertainment Program: “Showbiz A-Z” (Joy FM)
• Best in News Reporting (Print): Severious Kale-Dery (DAILY GRAPHIC, GCGL) - for "Poverty in the midst of wealth"
• Best in News Reporting (Television): Nabil Ahmed Rufai (FREELANCE) - for "Leveraging AI for Sustainable Development in Africa"
• Best in News Reporting (Radio): Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman (EIB NETWORK) - for "Accra AIR Quality"
• Best in News Reporting (Online): Albert Oppong Ansah (GNA) - for "Air Pollution"
• Best in Features (Print): Timothy Ngnenbe (DAILY GRAPHIC, GCGL) - for "Accra E-Waste Quagmire"
• Best in Features (Television): Sarah Apenkro (TV3) - for "Hypertension"
• Best in Features (Radio): Rachel Kakraba (GBC) - for "Faana Boat Disaster, a year on."
• Best in Features (Online): Solomon Gumah (GNA) - for "Abuse of Agrochemicals: A Silent deadly practice by small holder farmers."
• Best Columnist (Print): Edmond Smith Asante (DAILY GRAPHIC, GCGL) - for "Race for Asutifi Seats"
• Best Columnist (Online): Samuel Dowuona (TECH FOCUS) - for "Elephant in the Room: Telcel vs. ATC – who peddled ‘’utter falsehood’’?"
• Best in Documentaries (Television): Godwin Asediba (TV3 – Media General) - for "Dreams in Shambles"
• Best in Documentaries (Radio): Doreen Ampofo (GBC) - for "Obstetric Fistula"
• Best in Documentaries (Online): Justice Baidoo & Philip Teye Agbove (THE FOURTH ESTATE) - for "The Battle for West Africa’s largest salt deposit"
• Best in Disability Reporting: Esther Aidoo (GBC) - for "Sign Language"
• Best in Road Safety Reporting: Issifu Dasmani Larry (GNA) - for "Deadly Highways: Fixing Ghana’s silent epidemic"
• Best Newspaper Layout: DAILY GRAPHIC (GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS GROUP LIMITED)
• Best in Education Reporting: Peter Agengre (GBC) - for "Single mother combines responsibility with schooling"
• Best in Photojournalism: James Amoh Junior (GNA) - for "Paga Border"
• Best in Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Nabil Ahmed Rufai (FREELANCE) - for "Ghana recovers some stolen treasures looted during the colonial era"
• Best in Business and Economics Reporting: Rosemond Akuorkor Adjetey (GH ONE TV) - for "Armed Robbery vs. Momo agents"
• Best in Science and Environment Reporting: Akwesi Agyei Annim (CHANNEL 1 TV) - for "Jema resists galamsey bribe to protect water and cocoa resources"
• Best in Health Reporting: Abigail Annoh (GHANAIAN TIMES) - for "Inside Ghana’s Underground Abortion Pill Market: The Exploitation of vulnerable Women and Girls."
• Akoto Ampaw Award for Democracy & Good Governance: Ebenezar Madugu (ATINKA MEDIA) - for "Inside the EC Balloting Controversy"
• Best in Gender Reporting: Doreen Ampofo (GBC) - for "The forgotten Children of Ghana’s Witches"
• Best in Courts and Crime Reporting: Justice Agbenorsi (DAILY GRAPHIC) - for "Lawyer Shortage hits Legal Aid"
• Best Akan/Twi Radio Station: PEACE FM
• Best English Radio Station: CITI FM
• Best English TV Station: GTV
• Best TV Entertainment Program: United Show BIZ on UTV
• Best Female Journalist: Doreen Ampofo (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation - GBC)