Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has presented diplomatic passports to five well-known Ghanaians in recognition of their efforts in promoting Ghana and Africa on the international stage.
The recipients are travel vlogger Wode Maya, reggae musician Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster Anita Erskine, visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE. They were honoured at the media launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025, held on Wednesday, September 17. The event was jointly organised by the Office of the President – Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Ministry, this move is part of a new strategy to expand Ghana’s diplomatic efforts by involving cultural figures whose global influence can help strengthen trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and international partnerships.
Wode Maya (Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon)
Wode Maya, born Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, is one of Africa’s most followed travel vloggers. A trained aeronautical engineer, he uses his platform to tell positive stories about Africa, highlighting development, entrepreneurship, and culture through video content that reaches millions across the world.
Rocky Dawuni
Rocky Dawuni is a well-known reggae artist and three-time Grammy nominee. His music blends African, Caribbean, and American sounds. He also serves as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment in Africa and is involved in several global campaigns promoting sustainability and African culture.
Anita Erskine
Anita Erskine is a respected broadcaster and media entrepreneur. She is known for hosting major television and radio shows and for her work in youth development, women’s empowerment, and pan-African storytelling. She is fluent in multiple languages and continues to inspire African audiences across the continent and beyond.
Ibrahim Mahama
Born in 1987, Ibrahim Mahama is one of Ghana’s most celebrated contemporary visual artists, with studios in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. Ibrahim Mahama is a leading visual artist whose installations often use discarded materials to explore themes such as labour, history, and identity. His work has been featured in major art exhibitions around the world. In Ghana, he has invested in local art spaces and creative infrastructure, helping to grow the country’s art scene.
Dentaa Amoateng
Dentaa Amoateng is a British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of the GUBA Awards. She leads initiatives that connect the African diaspora with development efforts on the continent. She also promotes trade between Ghana and the UK through her role as Liaison Executive Officer for the Greenwich-Tema Meridian Link.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ablakwa said the selection of these five individuals was intentional, aimed at tapping into their influence across digital media, music, art, broadcasting, and diaspora engagement.
By giving them diplomatic passports, the government hopes to enhance their ability to represent Ghana abroad, build international networks, and support people-to-people diplomacy.
Their work is expected to help promote Ghana’s image in key global markets and open up new opportunities in areas such as tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
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