Muftawu Nabila Abdulai’s Back-to-Back GJA Sports Journalist of the Year Win: A “Call to Duty” in Ghanaian Sports Journalism

Discover how Muftawu Nabila Abdulai defended his title as GJA Sports Journalist of the Year at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association Awards, delivering a powerful message on duty, excellence, and storytelling in sports journalism.

Introduction

In the competitive world of sports journalism in Ghana, few achievements stand out like a back-to-back win at the prestigious Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards. On November 8, 2025, at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall in Manhyia, Kumasi, Muftawu Nabila Abdulai did just that, clinching the GJA Sports Journalist of the Year title for the second consecutive year at the 29th GJA Awards.

His acceptance speech resonated deeply: “This is not the time to recover from excitement. It’s a time to replicate — on my life, my story, and my entire journey. It’s a call to duty.” This statement encapsulates the essence of dedication in journalism, setting a benchmark for aspiring sports reporters across Ghana and beyond.

What Makes the GJA Sports Journalist Award Special?

The GJA Awards, organized annually by the Ghana Journalists Association, recognize excellence in various journalism categories. The Sports Journalist of the Year category is among the most contested, featuring entries from talented reporters covering football, athletics, and community sports stories. Muftawu’s repeat victory underscores his mastery in compelling sports storytelling.

Analysis

Muftawu Nabila Abdulai’s win is more than a personal milestone; it reflects broader trends in Ghanaian sports journalism. His award-winning piece, “Trey Haun: The Boy Whose Ride Lifts the Ghanaian Flag High and Inspires a Community to Dream Big,” exemplifies how sports reporting can transcend game scores to highlight human resilience and national pride.

Breaking Down the Award Citation

The official citation praised Muftawu’s work: “Your art continues to inspire and raise the standards of sports journalism in Ghana. With your insightful, newsworthy, and compelling storytelling, you have become a voice of authority across the sports fraternity. For your exceptional contribution to sports journalism through your works, the Ghana Journalists Association proudly confers on you, Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, the Best Sports Reporter. Congratulations!“

This recognition highlights key elements of top-tier sports journalism: insightfulness, newsworthiness, and emotional depth. Muftawu’s story on Trey Haun captured not just athletic feats but the dreams, determination, and resolve that define sporting greatness, making it a pedagogical model for journalists.

Context of Sports Journalism in Ghana

Ghana’s sports scene, dominated by football successes like the Black Stars and local leagues, demands reporters who can unearth untold stories. Muftawu’s focus on emerging talents like Trey Haun addresses a gap in coverage, promoting underrepresented athletes and fostering community inspiration. His back-to-back GJA win signals rising standards, encouraging ethical, impactful reporting amid growing media competition.

Summary

The 29th GJA Awards ceremony on November 8, 2025, celebrated journalistic excellence in Kumasi. Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, after receiving his award, emphasized that the honor imposes a continued responsibility. He described the category’s competitiveness, noting the presence of “multi-talented individuals who have all told fantastic stories.” Grateful yet driven, he pledged to learn, grow, and produce better work, congratulating fellow nominees for elevating sports journalism in Ghana.

This event solidified Muftawu’s status as a leading GJA Sports Journalist of the Year recipient, with his speech serving as a motivational blueprint for the profession.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Aspiring sports journalists can learn from Muftawu Nabila Abdulai’s success. Here’s pedagogical guidance drawn from his journey:

Master Compelling Storytelling

Focus on human elements in sports. Like Muftawu’s Trey Haun profile, blend athletic achievements with personal struggles and triumphs to engage readers emotionally.

Build a Portfolio of Impactful Work

Consistently produce newsworthy pieces. Enter awards like the GJA Sports Journalist category with stories that demonstrate originality and depth.

Cultivate Continuous Learning

Muftawu vowed to “continue to learn and grow.” Attend workshops, study GJA past winners, and network at events like the annual awards.

Embrace Competition Positively

View peers as collaborators. Muftawu congratulated competitors, noting their efforts improve national sports coverage.

Implement these steps: Research local athletes, pitch human-interest angles to editors, and track metrics like reader engagement to refine your approach.

Points of Caution

While Muftawu’s path inspires, sports journalism carries challenges:

High Competition in Awards

The GJA Sports Journalist of the Year is fiercely contested. Entries must stand out amid talented storytellers—ensure factual accuracy and unique angles.

Maintaining Ethical Standards

Avoid sensationalism; prioritize verification. Muftawu’s win stems from credible, insightful reporting—stray from ethics, and credibility erodes.

Pressure of Repeat Success

Back-to-back wins amplify expectations. Balance ambition with well-being to sustain output without burnout.

Journalists should adhere to GJA’s code of ethics, fact-check rigorously, and disclose conflicts in sports coverage.

Comparison

Muftawu Nabila Abdulai’s 2025 win mirrors his 2024 triumph, a rare feat in GJA history. Last year, he called the award “a huge responsibility,” a sentiment echoed in 2025 as a “call to duty.”

Vs. Previous GJA Winners

Unlike one-time winners, Muftawu’s consecutive victories parallel elite athletes’ streaks, like Ghanaian football stars. His Trey Haun story builds on prior works, showing progression in thematic depth—from event coverage to inspirational profiles.

Broader GJA Sports Category Trends

Recent years favor stories elevating underrepresented sports or community impact, aligning with Muftawu’s style over pure match reports. This shift rewards versatile reporters in Ghana’s evolving media landscape.

Legal Implications

No specific legal issues arise from Muftawu Nabila Abdulai’s GJA Sports Journalist of the Year win, as it celebrates verified journalistic work. However, sports journalists in Ghana must comply with the National Media Commission’s guidelines and the Right to Information Act (2019) for ethical sourcing and accuracy. Defamation risks exist in profiles like Trey Haun’s, underscoring the need for consent and fact-checking to avoid litigation under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act.

Conclusion

Muftawu Nabila Abdulai’s defense of the GJA Sports Journalist of the Year title at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association Awards marks a pinnacle in sports journalism in Ghana. His “call to duty” speech inspires replication of excellence, continuous growth, and collective advancement. By profiling figures like Trey Haun, Muftawu not only wins awards but elevates the profession, encouraging the next generation to pursue impactful storytelling with passion and precision.

This back-to-back achievement cements his legacy among Ghana’s top sports storytellers, reminding all that true success in journalism lies in service to stories that matter.

FAQ