West African nation Ghana honours popular Youtuber Wode Maya and others with diplomatic passports. The significant move to bolster cultural diplomacy, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, awarded a diplomatic passport to renowned YouTuber and travel vlogger Wode Maya and other colleagues on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Wode Maya’s recognition alongside figures like Grammy-nominated Rocky Dawuni and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE underscores the government’s intent to empower digital creators and cultural influencers, yet the debate highlights a broader tension between merit-based selection and political considerations in Ghana’s diplomatic appointments.
The popular content creator, whose real name is Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, expressed his gratitude in a statement shared by GHOne TV, saying, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think a proud village boy like me would be holding a Diplomatic Passport, I’m truly humbled.” This decision aligns with a 2023 study from the Journal of Cultural Economics, which found a 15% increase in tourism revenue when countries appoint cultural ambassadors, reflecting Ghana’s strategy to leverage Wode Maya’s global influence—his channel boasts over 1.2 million subscribers—for promoting African narratives worldwide.
The award has also ignited a heated public discourse on social media, particularly on X, where users like Prince Osei and KWEKUSIMMERDOWN have questioned the exclusion of other prominent figures, such as rapper Sarkodie, who has long advocated for artists to receive diplomatic passports. Critics point to a 2021 audit report revealing that 30% of past diplomatic passport recipients in Ghana lacked clear qualifications, raising concerns about political favoritism.
Ghana Honors Popular YouTuber Wode Maya and Others with Diplomatic Passport
— GhanaTrends.com (@GhanaTrendsInc) September 17, 2025
As Ghana seeks to strengthen its global cultural footprint, the decision marks a shift from traditional diplomacy toward embracing modern influencers. However, the lack of transparency in the selection process, as noted in online discussions, has fueled calls for a more rigorous framework to ensure fairness. With Wode Maya’s new status set to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural collaboration, the move could set a precedent for how Ghana harnesses its youth and digital talent—provided the government addresses the growing public demand for accountability in this evolving diplomatic landscape.
The recent granting of diplomatic passports to prominent figures such as Wode Maya and Rocky Dawuni showcases Ghana’s strategic embrace of cultural diplomacy, harnessing their international stature to elevate the nation’s global reputation. This move, aligned with the upcoming 2025 Diaspora Summit’s emphasis on fostering trade and diaspora connections under the NLCD 155 law, underscores a deliberate effort to project Ghanaian culture worldwide. The timing is particularly significant, coming on the heels of Wode Maya’s recent Australian visa rejection, a challenge that reflects broader visa hurdles faced by African travelers—issues highlighted in a 2023 Migration Policy Institute study on mobility restrictions across the continent. These passports effectively serve as a tool to navigate such barriers, enhancing the recipients’ ability to promote Ghana on global stages.
This shift in policy also marks a departure from past controversies where Ghanaian diplomatic passports were occasionally awarded to non-diplomats, often sparking public criticism. The current merit-based selection of cultural ambassadors, including a Grammy-nominated musician and a renowned YouTuber, aligns with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s recent push for accountability through the Operation Recover All Loots initiative. Launched to combat corruption and reclaim misappropriated resources, this initiative signals a broader commitment to transparent governance, with the passport awards reflecting a strategic investment in individuals who can authentically represent Ghana’s cultural and economic potential as of September 17, 2025.
