Ghana Grants Youtuber Wode Maya A Diplomatic Passport

On Wednesday, 17th September, 2025, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, awarded diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians. This happened during the launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025, organized by the Office of the President, the Diaspora Affairs Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the honorees was Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, better known as Wode Maya, one of Africa’s most influential youtubers.

According to Minister Ablakwa, the recipients were selected for their international reach and proven track record in promoting Ghana and African culture. Alongside Wode Maya, the recipients of the diplomatic passports include broadcaster Anita Erskine, reggae artist, Rocky Dawuni, contemporary artist, Ibrahim Mahama, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE.

pic.twitter.com/AX9AtO54kf

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) September 17, 2025

Wode Maya: From Travel Vlogger to Cultural Diplomat

For Wode Maya, the recognition marks a significant milestone in a career dedicated to reshaping global perceptions of Africa. Through his widely popular YouTube channel and his signature project, Africa to the World, he has travelled to more than 20 African countries. Throughout his journeys he has documented his experiences, highlighted local entrepreneurs, interviewed key figures, and showcased the continent’s cultural vibrancy.

Ghana Grants Youtuber Wode Maya A Diplomatic Passport

Wode Maya during his visit to the Bana Tribe of Ethiopia/Image from Wode Maya’s Instagram

His mission to challenge negative stereotypes about the African continent has always been clear. Yet, his journey has not been without challenges.

As a West African traveller, Wode Maya has frequently spoken about the difficulties in crossing African borders. These challenges range from visa denials to cumbersome passport controls. He has long advocated for a borderless and visa-free Africa with better movement for its citizens. Just this month, he revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that his visa application to Australia was denied, a reminder of the limitations faced by many African passport holders on the global scale.

My visa to Australia just got denied!

— Wode Maya ® (@wode_maya) September 17, 2025

These frustrations have fueled his advocacy for stronger African integration and passport equity over the years. Given his work and influence, some of his supporters have long called for the Ghanaian government to recognise him formally.

Earlier this year, a Facebook post by Gushers went viral urging, “Diplomatic passport for Wodemaya. If you support this, kindly add your voice.” Many echoed this sentiment, suggesting that he either be given a diplomatic passport or named ambassador-at-large. Today, those calls appear to have borne fruit.

What the Diplomatic Passport Means for Wode Maya and Influencers

Diplomatic passports are traditionally reserved for government officials and diplomats, but they also serve a broader role in cultural diplomacy. Holders often benefit from fewer visa restrictions, expedited immigration processing, and enhanced access to diplomatic services abroad.

For someone like Wode Maya whose work depends on cross-border mobility, the document could ease the barriers that have frequently stalled his travels especially when it comes to granting visas. But more importantly, it symbolises a shift.

Through this, the Ghanaian government could be acknowledging that storytellers, content creators, influencers, and cultural ambassadors play a vital role in shaping the nation’s global image. By extending this privilege to Wode Maya and his peers, the government is signaling that soft power through arts, music, media, and digital storytelling, can now have a powerful effect on foreign policy strategy.

It also raises a bigger question: should other African countries adopt a similar approach? By recognising their entertainers and cultural influencers, governments would be giving them the tools to not only travel more freely, but to also tell their countries’ stories without restriction and attract tourism, investment, and goodwill from abroad.

In an era where perception shapes opportunity, investing in the mobility of storytellers, in many ways, is an investment in the nation itself. This can significantly benefit individual countries and the African continent at large through the promotion of positive narratives on the global stage.