Ghanaian journalist Godwin Asediba
Ghanaian journalist Godwin Asediba has won the 2025 BBC News Komla Dumor Award, becoming the 10th recipient of one of Africa’s most respected journalism accolades.
The 29-year-old investigative reporter, filmmaker, and news anchor works with TV3 and 3FM in Ghana, where his reporting often focuses on human-interest stories that expose injustice and amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
His work has also appeared on several international broadcasters.
Reflecting on his win, Asediba described the award as both an honour and a responsibility.
“Komla’s legacy reminds us that African stories deserve to be told with depth, dignity, and a fearless commitment to truth,” he said.
A Legacy That Lives On
The award was established in 2015 in memory of Komla Dumor, the Ghanaian journalist and BBC World News presenter who died suddenly in 2014 at the age of 41.
Dumor was widely admired for his ability to bring a confident, nuanced, and entrepreneurial image of Africa to global audiences.
Over the past decade, the prize has grown in stature, celebrating journalists who embody Dumor’s values, an insistence on integrity, a gift for storytelling, and a determination to showcase African lives in their complexity.
Juliet Njeri, the BBC’s regional director for Africa, said the anniversary year underscored the enduring impact of Dumor’s work.
“Over the past decade, the Komla Dumor Award has helped nurture some of Africa’s most talented journalists. It’s been a privilege to watch them grow and make a lasting impact, both at the BBC and beyond. This 10th anniversary stands as a powerful testament to Komla Dumor’s enduring legacy: his passion for bold, authentic storytelling and championing African voices lives on.”
The Work That Stood Out
The judges commended Asediba for his investigative depth and his belief in journalism as a force for accountability.
One story he remains particularly proud of is his exposé on one of Ghana’s largest mortuaries, which had been left in a state of neglect.
The investigation revealed serious public health risks and triggered national debate.
It was precisely this kind of dogged reporting that caught the attention of the panel.
By refusing to ignore uncomfortable truths, Asediba has earned a reputation as a journalist committed to shining a light in places often overlooked.
An Award Beyond Borders
The Komla Dumor Award offers more than recognition.
As part of the prize, Asediba will travel to London for a three-month placement with BBC News, gaining experience across television, radio, and digital platforms.
He will also be mentored by senior BBC journalists and take part in specialized training.
Crucially, the programme includes an assignment in another African country, where Asediba will produce a report to be broadcast globally.
For last year’s winner, Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle, that assignment took him to Senegal to document the Baye Fall, a Muslim subgroup whose striking appearance and traditions have long fascinated observers but are rarely examined in depth.
For Asediba, this is a chance to continue the kind of reporting that has defined his career so far, stories that speak both to local audiences and the world at large.
Adding to a Growing Legacy
This latest achievement comes on the heels of another major recognition.
Earlier this year, Asediba was named one of the winners of the 2025 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.
The honour, presented by the International Center for Journalists and the ONE Campaign, recognized his investigation into conditions at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital mortuary.
That award made him the first Ghanaian journalist to receive the accolade.
Taken together with the Komla Dumor Award, it cements his status as one of Africa’s most promising journalistic voices.
In Ghana, Asediba has also been recognised by his peers.
He was named Documentary TV Reporter of the Year in 2023 by the Ghana Journalists Association, and in 2024 won Health Reporter of the Year, further underscoring his reputation for impactful reporting.
These accolades, though significant, are not the goal in themselves.
For Asediba, they are simply encouragement to keep doing work that holds power to account and brings dignity to the overlooked.
Why It Matters
Winning the Komla Dumor Award places Asediba among a distinguished group of African journalists who have gone on to shape conversations both at home and internationally.
Previous award recipients are Rukia Bulle, Paa Kwesi Asare, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, Waihiga Mwaura, Amina Yuguda, Didi Akinyelure, and Nancy Kacungira, the inaugural winner.
The recognition is also symbolic for Ghana, Dumor’s home country, where journalism continues to play a pivotal role in shaping democratic life.
In celebrating Asediba’s achievement, the award highlights the enduring influence of Ghanaian voices in African storytelling.
Carrying Komla’s Spirit Forward
Komla Dumor himself was listed among New African magazine’s 100 most influential Africans in 2013, a year before his death.
His energy, warmth, and intellectual curiosity made him a household name, and his approach to journalism continues to inspire.
For Asediba, winning the award is both a tribute and a challenge.
It reinforces the belief that African journalists must take charge of their own narratives, telling stories that go beyond stereotypes to reflect the realities of a diverse and dynamic continent.
“This award is a reminder that journalism can and should inspire change,” he said.
“It challenges me to uphold the values that Komla Dumor represented, and to make sure that African voices are heard, respected, and celebrated.”
Looking Ahead
As he prepares to join the BBC News teams in London, Asediba steps into a defining moment.
The training, exposure, and global platform offered by the Komla Dumor Award will undoubtedly shape his career.
But equally important is what he will bring back to Ghana and to the wider continent: a sharpened voice, a stronger platform, and a renewed commitment to journalism that matters.
In winning the award during its 10th anniversary year, Godwin Asediba not only honours Komla Dumor’s memory but carries his spirit into a new generation.
His achievement underscores the truth that African stories, when told with depth and dignity, can resonate powerfully across the world.
