Gov’t awards diplomatic passports to Wode Maya, Anita Erskine & three others
By Samuella Antwi
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has presented diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians in recognition of their outstanding contributions to promoting Ghana and Africa’s image globally.
The honourees include travel vlogger Wode Maya, reggae musician Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster Anita Erskine, visual artist Ibrahim Mahama and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE.
They received the passports on Wednesday, 17 September, at the media launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025.
The event was jointly organised by the Office of the President, Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Ministry, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to expand Ghana’s diplomatic toolkit by empowering cultural ambassadors whose international influence can boost trade, tourism, cultural exchange and soft power diplomacy.
Profiles of the Recipients
Wode Maya (Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon)
A celebrated travel vlogger and YouTuber, Wode has built a massive digital following by showcasing African destinations, entrepreneurship stories and narratives that highlight the continent’s development.
His storytelling has made him one of Africa’s most influential digital ambassadors.
Rocky Dawuni
A multiple GRAMMY-nominated artist, Rocky blends African rhythms with global sounds in his “Afro Roots” music. Beyond his artistry, he is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa and a vocal advocate for sustainability, unity and cultural pride.
Anita Erskine
An accomplished broadcaster and communications expert, Anita is known for her influential media presence and her commitment to women’s empowerment, youth development and pan-African dialogue.
Ibrahim Mahama
An internationally acclaimed contemporary visual artist, Ibrahim is recognised for large-scale installations that interrogate colonial legacies and global capitalism.
He is also a leading advocate for using art as a tool for transformation and community development.
Dentaa Amoateng MBE
A British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and diaspora leader, Dentaa is the founder of the Grow Unite Build Africa (GUBA) Enterprise and the GUBA Awards.
She is widely respected for her work in diaspora mobilisation and trade promotion between Ghana and the UK.
Strategic Soft Power
Mr Ablakwa explained that the selection of the five reflects a deliberate strategy to harness Ghana’s diverse cultural and professional assets.
Collectively, their influence across digital media, music, broadcasting, visual arts and diaspora engagement is expected to amplify Ghana’s image internationally while unlocking opportunities for cultural exchange, trade and tourism.
