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Wode Maya, Others Awarded Diplomatic Passports for Promoting Ghana Abroad
September 17, 2025
The government has honoured five distinguished Ghanaians with diplomatic passports in recognition of their contributions to enhancing Ghana and Africa’s global image.
At a ceremony held on Wednesday, September 17, during the media launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, presented the passports to travel vlogger Wode Maya, reggae musician Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster Anita Erskine, visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President – Diaspora Affairs, forms part of a new strategy to broaden Ghana’s diplomatic toolkit. The government believes empowering cultural ambassadors with global reach will strengthen trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and soft power diplomacy.
Profiles of Recipients
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Wode Maya (Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon) – Ghana’s leading travel vlogger, renowned for showcasing African destinations and entrepreneurship stories through his widely followed YouTube channel.
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Rocky Dawuni – Multiple GRAMMY-nominated reggae icon, global activist, and UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa.
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Anita Erskine – Veteran broadcaster and communications expert, respected for championing youth empowerment, women’s development, and pan-African dialogue.
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Ibrahim Mahama – Internationally acclaimed contemporary artist known for large-scale installations that highlight Ghana’s history, labour, and resilience.
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Dentaa Amoateng MBE – Diaspora entrepreneur and founder of the Grow Unite Build Africa (GUBA) Enterprise and Awards, recognised for mobilising African diasporans for development.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ablakwa said the selection of the five was deliberate, reflecting the government’s resolve to harness their influence across media, arts, and entrepreneurship to amplify Ghana’s presence globally.
“By granting them diplomatic passports, we are empowering these cultural ambassadors to project Ghana’s identity, connect with global networks, and advance people-to-people diplomacy,” he stated.
The recipients are expected to use their platforms to open new doors for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, while reinforcing Ghana’s position on the global stage.
