Godwin Asediba wins 2025 BBC Komla Dumor Award, grabs US$10,000

Ghanaian journalist Godwin Asediba has been named winner of the prestigious 2025 BBC News Komla Dumor Award, cementing his place among Africa’s most promising storytellers.

The 29-year-old investigative reporter, filmmaker and news anchor, who works with TV3 and 3FM, becomes the 10th recipient of the accolade, which was established in memory of Komla Dumor, the celebrated Ghanaian broadcaster who died suddenly in 2014 at the age of 41.

Dumor, a former presenter for BBC World News, was widely admired for his ability to portray Africa with depth, dignity and authenticity.

Asediba, whose work has also featured on major international networks, is best known for human-interest stories that uncover injustice and give voice to marginalised communities. His fearless reporting, judges said, reflects the very spirit of the award.

“Komla’s legacy reminds us that African stories deserve to be told with depth, dignity and a fearless commitment to truth,” Asediba remarked after being announced as the winner. He described the award not just as a “personal milestone” but “a call to carry forward the spirit of journalism that informs, inspires and transforms.”

Among his notable investigations is an exposé on one of Ghana’s largest mortuaries, where neglect had turned the facility into a serious public health risk. Such work, the judges noted, highlighted his strong commitment to accountability and journalistic integrity.

The award comes with a three-month placement at the BBC in London, where Asediba will work across television, radio and digital platforms, receiving mentorship from some of the organisation’s top journalists. He will also travel to another African country to produce a special report for the BBC’s global audience. In addition, he takes home a US$10,000 cash prize.

Juliet Njeri, the BBC’s regional director for Africa, hailed the impact of the award over the past decade. “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,” she said. “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.”

Since its creation, the award has produced a remarkable list of winners including Rukia Bulle, Paa Kwesi Asare, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, Waihiga Mwaura, Amina Yuguda, Didi Akinyelure and Nancy Kacungira, the inaugural laureate.

Last year’s winner, Somali journalist Rukia Bulle, travelled to Senegal to report on the Baye Fall – a Muslim subgroup recognised for their distinctive attire and traditions – in a story broadcast to the BBC’s global audience.

With his selection, Asediba now steps into a tradition of bold African journalism inspired by Komla Dumor’s vision of telling the continent’s story with honesty and authority.