Philip Osei Bonsu, popularly known as O.B., a renowned journalist and host of Asempa FM's Ekosiisen programme, has been awarded the 2026 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Journalist of the Year. This prestigious honour was bestowed upon him at the 30th GJA Media Awards held in Accra on November 7, 2026. The award acknowledges his significant contributions to journalism in Ghana during the qualifying period.
O.B. is not only a distinguished journalist but also a qualified lawyer, having been called to the Ghana Bar in October 2024 after completing his legal training at the Ghana School of Law. He holds an impressive educational background, including a First Class Honours degree in Linguistics and Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana, an MSc in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs with Distinction from Robert Gordon University in Scotland, and an LLB from Central University.
In addition to his academic achievements, O.B. has received notable recognition for his work. He was a Tullow Scholar and a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of San Diego. His programme, Ekosiisen, is well-known for its coverage of political and public affairs, and he also serves as the Programmes Manager at Asempa FM, a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group Limited.
The 30th GJA Media Awards ceremony, held under the theme "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age," brought together journalists, media organisations, and stakeholders to recognise outstanding achievements in the media industry. Other notable award recipients included Clinton Yeboah from Luv FM, who won the Best Radio Feature category.
Upon receiving the recognition in January 2026, when he was named among the personalities featured in Avance Media's inaugural Top 100 Ghanaians Powerlist 2025, O.B. credited his production team for its contribution to Ekosiisen's success. He stated that the recognition reflects the hard work and sense of professionalism of his team and their dedication to their chosen professions: broadcast journalism and law.
The Ghana Journalists Association continues to advocate for better working conditions and media freedom. Recent initiatives include pushing for a bill to establish a minimum wage for journalists and recording over 50 attacks and threats against journalists since 2022. The GJA also criticised Sam George over comments on media closures and engagement with Mahama, highlighting ongoing challenges in the media landscape.
Asempa FM's Ekosiisen programme also won the Best Radio Programme of the Year (Ghanaian Language) at the recent awards. The station's success underscores the importance of quality journalism and programming in Ghana. With O.B.'s recognition as the 2026 GJA Journalist of the Year, his contributions to Ghanaian journalism have been formally acknowledged, inspiring others in the profession.
Key points
- Philip Osei Bonsu, known as O.B., has been named the 2026 Ghana Journalists Association Journalist of the Year.
- O.B. hosts Ekosiisen, Asempa FM's late-afternoon current affairs programme.
- The 30th GJA Media Awards ceremony was held under the theme "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age".
