Asempa FM’s distinguished broadcaster, Philip Osei Bonsu, widely celebrated as O.B., has been crowned the 2026 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)/PAV Ansah Journalist of the Year, emerging as the recipient of the most coveted individual accolade at the 30th edition of the prestigious media awards.
O.B., who presides over Asempa FM’s flagship afternoon current affairs programme, Ekosiisen, received the distinguished honour at a glamorous awards ceremony held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Palms Convention Centre of the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
The prestigious recognition celebrates his professional dexterity, journalistic integrity and unwavering commitment to public-interest journalism, particularly through incisive political discourse, probing interviews and insightful analysis of national affairs.
His triumph was further accentuated by an impressive outing for Asempa FM, as Ekosiisen also secured the Best Radio Programme in a Ghanaian Language award, reinforcing the programme’s prominence in Ghana’s competitive broadcast media landscape.
The 30th GJA Media Awards assembled eminent media practitioners, government functionaries, traditional authorities and other distinguished personalities to celebrate journalistic excellence and acknowledge the indispensable contribution of the media to national development.
The awards recognised journalistic works published in 2025, with the committee, chaired by Kobby Asmah, meticulously evaluating 327 entries submitted by 206 applicants before arriving at 36 award citations.
Although O.B. emerged as the ultimate individual award recipient, Daily Graphic’s Timothy Ngnenbe distinguished himself as the night’s most decorated journalist, sweeping three prestigious awards.
Ngnenbe won Best Online News Reporting for his investigative publication, “Unguarded Guards: The Ordeal of Ghana’s Forest Guards,” in addition to the Best in Illegal Mining Reporting and Best in Environment and Science Reporting categories.
EIB Network’s Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman and A1 Radio’s Moses Apiah also delivered commendable performances, securing two awards apiece.
In the sports journalism category, Joy FM’s Nathaniel Attoh was adjudged the best sports journalist, earning an additional GH¢50,000 cash prize sponsored by the Wembley Sports Complex.
Other distinguished recipients included Mohammed Fugu of the Daily Graphic, who won Best in Print News; Nabil Ahmed Rufai, who claimed Best in Television News; and Godwin Asediba of TV3, who secured Best in Television Documentary for “Hooked on Red.”
Francisca Enchill of JoyNews emerged victorious in Investigative Journalism, while Stanley Nii Blewu of 3News received the Education award. James Amoh Jr of the Ghana News Agency also clinched the Arts and Entertainment category.
Moses Apiah of A1 Radio received the Best in Health Reporting award alongside the GJA/Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist accolade, while Esther Aidoo of GBC won the Bank of Ghana Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year.
In the programme categories, Atinka TV’s Missing Persons, Reuniting Families was adjudged Best TV Programme in a Ghanaian Language, while Behind the News on Radio Ghana secured Best Radio/TV Programme in English. GH-Hyper was also named Best Digital and New Media Platform.
The association further conferred honorary awards on an array of eminent personalities, including Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, Tobinco Group founder Nana Amo Tobbin I and Special Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor was honoured for his contribution to the advancement of press freedom. Other recipients included Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Dadey and Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
The ceremony was held under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
President John Dramani Mahama delivered the keynote address, while the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, presided as chairman of the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, GJA President Albert Dwumfour disclosed that the association had documented more than 50 attacks on journalists since 2022, drawing attention to the persistent threats confronting media practitioners and the imperative of safeguarding press freedom.
O.B.’s crowning achievement represents a distinguished endorsement of his journalistic credentials and influence in Ghana’s media fraternity, while further affirming the enduring relevance of incisive broadcasting in shaping national conversations and holding public institutions accountable.
FULL LIST OF GJA AWARDS 2026 WINNERS
News, Features and Documentaries
- Best in Print News: Mohammed Fugu – Daily Graphic
- Best in Television News: Nabil Ahmed Rufai – Freelance
- Best in Radio News: Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman – EIB Network
- Best in Online News: Timothy Ngnenbe – Daily Graphic
- Best in Print Features: Benedicta Gyimaah Folley – Ghanaian Times
- Best in Television Features: Daniel Mantey – Pent TV
- Best in Radio Features: Clinton Yeboah – Luv FM
- Best in Online Features: Gilbert Azeem Tiroog – Ghana News Agency
- Best in Television Documentary: Godwin Asediba – TV3
- Best in Radio Documentary: Doreen Ampofo – GBC
- Best in Online Documentary: Nii Adjei Mensahfio – Freelance
- Best Columnist (Print): Juliet Etefe – Business and Financial Times
- Best Columnist (Online): Samuel Dowuona – TechFocus24
Specialised Reporting
- Sports: Nathaniel Attoh – Joy FM
- Education: Stanley Nii Blewu – 3News
- Investigative: Francisca Enchill – JoyNews
- Photojournalism: Prince Kukorku – GBC
- Arts and Entertainment: James Amoh Jr – Ghana News Agency
- Business: Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman – EIB Network
- Environment and Science: Timothy Ngnenbe – Daily Graphic
- Health: Moses Apiah – A1 Radio
- Akoto Ampaw Award for Democracy and Good Governance: Albert Futukpor – Ghana News Agency
- Gender: Dzifa Tetteh Tay – Freelance
- Crime and Court: Kweku Bolton – GBC
Special Campaign Awards
- Disability: Nicholas Azebire – Dreamz FM
- Domestic Tourism: Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi – Asempadawuro
- Road Safety: Christian Yalley – TV3
- Illegal Mining: Timothy Ngnenbe – Daily Graphic
- Bank of Ghana Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year: Esther Aidoo – GBC
Programme and Institutional Awards
- Best TV Programme (Ghanaian Language): Missing Persons, Reuniting Families – Atinka TV
- Best Radio Programme (Ghanaian Language): Ekosiisen – Asempa FM
- Best Radio/TV Programme (English): Behind the News – Radio Ghana
- Best Digital and New Media Platform: GH-Hyper
Other Awards
- Best Student Journalist: Jennifer Frimpong-Wiredu – UniMAC-IJ
- GJA/Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist: Moses Apiah – A1 Radio
- GJA/PAV Ansah Journalist of the Year: Philip Osei Bonsu (O.B.) – Asempa FM
Honorary Award Recipients
- Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno
- Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin
- Tobinco Group founder Nana Amo Tobbin I
- Special Group CEO Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong
- Former President John Agyekum Kufuor
- Chief of Staff Julius Debrah
- KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Dadey
- Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II