GJA Awards 2024: Godwin Asediba Wins Prestigious Journalist of the Year Title

In the world of Ghanaian journalism, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards stand as the gold standard for recognizing excellence. The 2024 edition, held under the distinguished patronage of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, marked a historic milestone. This comprehensive guide explores Godwin Asediba’s triumph as Journalist of the Year, the dominance of Multimedia Group Limited, and the event’s focus on critical issues like peace, security, and combating illegal mining (galamsey).

Introduction

The 29th GJA Awards ceremony illuminated the vital role of media in Ghana’s development. Hosted at the iconic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the event drew dignitaries including President John Dramani Mahama as Special Guest of Honour and acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. Under the theme “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey,” the awards celebrated journalists tackling pressing national challenges.

Godwin Asediba, a 29-year-old investigative reporter, filmmaker, and news anchor with TV3 and 3FM, emerged as the 2024 Journalist of the Year. His win highlights the power of human-interest storytelling in exposing injustices and amplifying marginalized voices. As the 29th recipient of this top honor and the 10th BBC Komla Dumor Award winner, Asediba exemplifies bold, entrepreneurial African journalism featured on global platforms.

Event Highlights and Sponsorship

The ceremony’s prestige was amplified by sponsors like headline backer KGL Group, whose Executive Chairman Alex Apau Dadey spoke, alongside Special Ice Mineral Water and Tobinco Pharmacy. Top three winners received fully sponsored trips to Turkey via Turkish Airlines, incentivizing excellence.

Analysis

The GJA Awards 2024 reflect evolving journalistic priorities in Ghana. The theme underscores media’s frontline role against galamsey—a pervasive illegal small-scale mining practice devastating water bodies, forests, and cocoa farms. Asediba’s victory stems from “Dreams in Shambles,” a TV3 documentary exposing galamsey’s human toll, aligning perfectly with the theme.

Multimedia Group Limited’s eight awards signal institutional strength in diverse categories, from radio entertainment to sports journalism. This dominance, with winners across JoyNews, Luv FM, Asempa FM, JoyFM, Adom TV, and JoySports, demonstrates integrated media ecosystems producing high-impact content.

Broader Implications for Ghanaian Media

Attended by Corporate Ghana leaders, the event fostered media-business ties. It also spotlights human-interest and investigative reporting’s resurgence, countering digital-era challenges like misinformation. Asediba’s BBC recognition bridges local and global narratives, promoting Africa’s stories confidently.

Quantitatively, the awards covered 40 categories, emphasizing specialized beats like disability, road safety, and gender reporting, educating on balanced coverage standards.

Summary

The 29th GJA Awards at Manhyia Palace crowned Godwin Asediba of TV3 as 2024 Journalist of the Year for his galamsey-focused documentary. Multimedia Group secured eight wins, including Best Akan TV Station (Adom TV) and Best Radio Entertainment Programme (Showbiz A-Z on Joy FM). Other standouts included Graphic Communications Group Limited in print and GBC in features. The event reinforced media’s peace-building role amid galamsey threats.

Key Points

Top Winner: Godwin Asediba (TV3/Media General) – Journalist of the Year for “Dreams in Shambles.”
Multimedia Group Sweep: 8 awards, e.g., Best Reporting in Domestic Tourism (Anas Sabit, JoyNews), Sports Journalist of the Year (Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, JoySports).
Theme Focus: Media’s contribution to peace, security, and anti-galamsey efforts.
Venue and Patronage: Manhyia Palace, Kumasi; Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Notable Guests: President John Dramani Mahama, acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.

Practical Advice

Aspiring journalists can learn from GJA 2024 winners. Focus on data-driven investigative pieces like Asediba’s galamsey exposé, blending visuals and narratives for impact.

Steps to Excel in GJA Awards

Choose Impactful Topics: Target national issues like galamsey, pollution, or health crises verifiable via official reports.
Master Multimedia: Combine TV, radio, and online formats, as seen in Multimedia Group’s wins.
Amplify Voices: Prioritize human-interest angles, ethics, and marginalized communities.
Network and Sponsor: Engage outlets like TV3, JoyNews; understand judging criteria on GJA’s site.
Build Global Reach: Aim for BBC-level recognition through original Africa-centered stories.

Practice ethical sourcing, fact-checking with tools like Ghana’s EPA data on galamsey, and audience engagement metrics for entries.

Points of Caution

While celebratory, awards highlight pitfalls. Galamsey reporting risks personal safety; journalists must verify claims amid conflicting interests. Avoid sensationalism—GJA emphasizes accuracy. Institutional dominance like Multimedia’s may overshadow independents; diversify entries. Note disclaimers: Winner opinions do not reflect media house policies.

Risks in Sensitive Reporting

Illegal mining coverage invites threats; use anonymous sources judiciously. Balance theme-driven work without bias, adhering to GJA’s code of ethics.

Comparison

Compared to prior years, 2024 emphasized galamsey more prominently, with dedicated categories. Asediba follows trailblazers like past BBC Komla Dumor honorees, but his youth (29) sets a record for fresh talent. Multimedia’s eight awards exceed many past sweeps, contrasting Graphic’s print strength. Venue shift to Manhyia Palace adds cultural gravitas versus Accra events.

Year-Over-Year Trends

Aspect	2024	Prior Years (e.g., 2023)
Top Winner Focus	Galamsey/Human Interest	General News/Economy
Corporate Wins	Multimedia: 8	Graphic: Dominant in Print
Theme	Peace & Anti-Galamsey	Democracy/Media Freedom

Legal Implications

GJA Awards 2024 have minimal direct legal ties but underscore media’s role in enforcing laws like the Minerals and Mining Act (2006), criminalizing galamsey. Winners’ works aid public awareness, supporting prosecutions via evidence from EPA and police. Journalists enjoy constitutional protections under Article 162 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution for press freedom, provided reporting avoids defamation. No specific legal controversies arose from this event.

Conclusion

Godwin Asediba’s 2024 GJA Journalist of the Year win, alongside Multimedia Group’s haul, reaffirms Ghanaian media’s resilience. The Manhyia Palace ceremony galvanized commitment to ethical, impactful journalism against galamsey and beyond. These awards not only honor individuals but educate on media’s societal duty, inspiring future reporters to safeguard Ghana’s future.