Godwin Asediba of Media General has been honored with the prestigious “Best in Community Reporting in West Africa” award at the 2024 Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Excellence in Journalism Awards held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Out of 388 entries from eight African countries, Asediba’s win is a testament to his unwavering commitment to impactful, accountability-driven journalism in Africa.
His groundbreaking documentary, “Dreams in Shambles,” which explores the educational challenges in the Nanton District of Ghana’s Northern Region, earned him this remarkable recognition.
The story delves into the plight of teachers at Guno MA Primary School in Tamale, who have taken the initiative to accommodate pupils as young as seven, bringing along their even younger siblings, some as young as two, due to family obligations. This unique challenge, while highlighting the dedication of teachers, underscores the lack of systemic support for struggling families.
Tragically, efforts to discourage these younger children from attending school have led some parents to withdraw their older children entirely, further disrupting the learning process and threatening the children’s future opportunities.
The documentary also exposes a disturbing trend: a growing number of children abandoning education for menial jobs, with many being sent to tend cattle in remote areas devoid of schools. This stark reality has become normalized in many parts of northern Ghana, depriving countless children of their right to education.
The exposé prompted the Ghana Education Service to respond, pledging to address these gaps and implement measures to improve the situation for affected communities.
Reflecting on his win, Asediba remarked, “This award reinforces my dedication to exposing the hidden challenges faced by communities, especially in rural Ghana, and to bringing relief and hope to the marginalized. Through impactful storytelling, I aim to amplify their voices and inspire lasting change.”
This latest recognition adds to Godwin Asediba’s growing list of accolades. He was recently named Health Journalist of the Year at the 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, cementing his reputation as a three-time national journalism award winner.
Asediba’s work continues to highlight the power of journalism in driving social change and holding institutions accountable.
