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Godwin Asediba of Media General was named the 2024 Best Journalist at the 29th Media Awards.
Among the 35 journalists who were honored that day, he stood out.
Dreams in Shambles, his documentary, took first place.
Godwin is the current laureate of the BBC Komla Dumor Award.
Godwin Asediba is the first Ghanaian to get the prestigious Michael Elliott Award for Storytelling Excellence.
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the ONE Campaign, and the Elliott family presented the 2025 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling to Godwin Asediba, a daring investigative journalist at Media General.
Asediba becomes the first Ghanaian ever to receive this prestigious award, joining a distinguished group of African journalists whose work has shaped public discourse and driven social change across the continent.
His compelling documentary, which exposed the horrific and humiliating conditions faced by mortuary workers—people who live in silence and serve behind the scenes of life and death—earned him great distinction on a global scale. The narrative increased calls for reform in a frequently disregarded area of public health and ignited a national dialogue.
As part of the award, Asediba will get a financial prize and start a two-week in-person internship with The Economist in London. This is a unique chance for him to learn from world leaders in journalism and hone his storytelling skills on a global scale. In June, he will also be present at a live awards presentation in London.
Godwin Asediba’s journey has been one of bold conviction and relentless courage. At Media General, one of Ghana’s leading media houses, he doesn’t just report the news. He runs toward it, often into uncomfortable and dangerous places, driven by the belief that journalism is not just about informing the public but transforming lives.
His body of work includes ground-breaking investigations into child labor, education inequality, trafficking, and public healthcare failings. He has been the voice for the voiceless and the lens through which forgotten communities find visibility.
He has won numerous national and international honors over the years, including three national journalism prizes and recognition for his work that changed the actual world. Asediba’s storytelling is personal and powerful, whether it is about kids risking their lives for gold rather than going to school or about unseen difficulties in healthcare institutions.
His ability to carve out a bold niche in investigative journalism—often going where few dare to go—and unearth the hidden, the broken, and the buried is what makes him stand out. He crafts tales that not only highlight injustice but also advocate for change by fusing empathy with bold inquiry.
In response to the award, Asediba stated:
“This recognition belongs, first and foremost, to the fearless mortuary workers who opened their world to me. I carry their voices with me and hope this spotlight drives the urgent reforms they so desperately deserve.
Being the first Ghanaian to win this award comes with a greater responsibility to do more and create deeper impact. Knowing that my work is making a difference gives me immense satisfaction as a journalist”.
He also expressed gratitude to God, his team at Media General, his supportive family, and all those who encourage him to keep pushing forward, even when the journey gets tough.
This victory is a turning point in an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Asediba is still dedicated to sharing important tales, particularly those that no one else has the courage to share. The unheard are ultimately heard, and the unknown are seen in his speech.
The truth is important. Godwin Asediba will continue to recount it.
In the meantime, President John Mahama has conveyed his best wishes to the journalists who were hurt in an accident while escaping an attack by unlicensed miners.
According to the President, he has given the Chief of Staff the responsibility of monitoring their health and making sure the state pays the costs.
“When i heard the news, i informed my Chief of Staff to find out how they are doing and ensure that all their bills are taken care of,” President Mahama said at the 29th Media Awards being held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on November 8.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
