In a rare display of royal generosity and recognition of journalistic excellence, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has rewarded two of the top journalists with GHC25,000 each, reaffirming his commitment to promoting professionalism, integrity, and excellence in the media industry.

The beneficiaries of the royal gesture are Godwin Asediba of TV3, who emerged as the Overall Best Journalist of the Year, and Doreen Ampofo of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), who was adjudged the Best Female Journalist of the Year.

The presentation took place during the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, held for the first time in Kumasi on November 8, 2025, under the distinguished patronage of the Asantehene.

The 29th edition of the prestigious event marked a historic moment as the Manhyia Palace — the traditional seat of the Asante Kingdom — hosted the foremost celebration of media excellence.

The decision to bring the ceremony to Kumasi was seen as a tribute to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s growing influence in national development, peacebuilding, and advocacy for responsible journalism.

In addition to the cash awards, the Asantehene extended his hospitality to the nation’s finest journalists by hosting a royal banquet at the Manhyia Palace.

The event, steeped in Ashanti tradition and elegance, was held to celebrate the vital role journalists play in promoting transparency, accountability, and national cohesion.

During the ceremony, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) also presented a special citation and symbolic artwork to the Asantehene in appreciation of his unwavering support for the media industry.

The Association, led by its President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, praised the King for his consistent encouragement of press freedom, moral leadership, and his firm stance on national issues such as illegal mining (galamsey) and public accountability.

“This year’s event in Kumasi was not only symbolic but transformational. It reflects Otumfuo’s vision of a strong, independent, and responsible media that complements national development,” said Mr. Dwumfour.

The Asantehene’s gesture added a cultural and humanitarian dimension to an already momentous occasion, deepening the connection between traditional leadership and modern governance institutions.

Otumfuo has, in recent years, positioned the Manhyia Palace as a hub for peacebuilding and civic engagement, often hosting mediations, development dialogues, and diplomatic events that highlight the Asante Kingdom’s continued relevance in the contemporary society.

The 29th GJA Awards, held under the theme “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey,” celebrated 29 individual journalists and seven media institutions, including Multimedia Group, Daily Graphic, Peace FM, Citi FM, GTV, and UTV, for their contributions to journalism and national discourse.
— a legacy that continues to define his reign as one rooted in service, vision, and cultural leadership.