Wode Maya, Rocky Dawuni & Others accorded diplomatic passports by govt

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has given diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians on the premise of their contributions to projecting Ghana and Africa’s image on the international platform.

The recipients include serial travel vlogger Wode Maya, four times Grammy award nominated reggae icon Rocky Dawuni, ace broadcaster and master of ceremonies Anita Erskine, visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, and TV host/entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE — were honoured on Wednesday, September 17, at the Media launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025, jointly put together by the Office of the President – Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Ministry, the initiative is part of a new strategy to broaden Ghana’s diplomatic toolkit by empowering cultural ambassadors whose global reach and influence can strengthen trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and soft power diplomacy.

■ Wode Maya (government name : Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon)

Known widely as Wode Maya is Ghana’s most renowned serial travel vlogger and YouTuber. Trained as an aeronautical engineer, he has built an enormous digital following by exhibiting African destinations, entrepreneurship narrations, and compelling scenes that throw more light on the continent’s development.

His account features thought-provoking, inspirational footage, and conversations with diplomats, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons.

By crisscrossing the continent and documenting fascinating sites contributing to Africa’s progress, Wode Maya has become a force to reckon with as far as storytelling and the connector for the continent.

■ Rocky Dawuni

Rocky Dawuni is a multiple-time GRAMMY-nominated afro-reggae crooner, songwriter, producer, and activist whose “Afro Roots” sound blends African rhythms with Caribbean and American influences. Beyond music, the moving talent is a global advocate.

He serves as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa, a UN Foundation Ambassador for the Clean Cooking Alliance, and a Global Ambassador for the World Day of African and Afrodescendant Culture.

His career projects include eight solo albums, live concerts, panel engagements, and youth empowerment initiatives, all carrying a message of unity, environmental sustainability, and cultural pride.

■ Anita Erskine

Anita Erskine is a veteran broadcaster, media entrepreneur, and communications expert widely acknowledged across the continent. Known for her multilingual prowess, she has hosted numerous top-notch events while championing youth development, women’s empowerment, and pan-African dialogue.

■ Ibrahim Mahama

Birthed in 1987, Ibrahim Mahama is one of Ghana’s most celebrated modern visual artists, with studios in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. His large-scale installations, often created from discarded materials, draw attention to Ghana’s colonial past, global capitalism, and the resilience of everyday labour.

Mahama’s work has been showcased globally, positioning him as a leading figure in contemporary art. In addition to his global acclaim, he invests his resources in social development and constructing infrastructure for Ghana’s local art scene, making sure art becomes a catapult for both discourse and transformation.

■ Dentaa Amoateng MBE

Dentaa Amoateng is a British-Ghanaian entrepreneur, broadcaster, and culture ambassador. She is the founder and president of the Grow Unite Build Africa (GUBA) Enterprise, a social enterprise dedicated to advancing Africans and the diaspora through socio-economic initiatives.

She also founded the celebrated GUBA Awards scheme, which honours excellence among Africans in the diaspora. Dentaa’s career spans deal brokering, lobbying, funding acquisition, and diaspora mobilisation.

Currently, she serves as the Liaison Executive Officer for the Greenwich-Tema Meridian Link, projecting trade and business opportunities between Ghana and the UK. With more than a decade of enterprise building and 20 employees under her leadership, Dentaa is recognised as a driving force for African diaspora engagement.

Ablakwa mentioned that the choice of these five individuals reflects an intention to leverage their diverse influence spanning digital media, music, broadcasting, contemporary art, and diaspora mobilisation. 

By giving them diplomatic passports, the government is optimistic to empower them to more effectively project Ghana’s image, connect with global networks, and propel people-to-people diplomacy.

However, their togetherness is anticipated to re-echo Ghana’s identity across peculiar markets and jurisdictions, opening doors for foreign exchange, trade, and tourism while reinforcing the country’s position worldwide