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Wode Maya, Rocky Dawuni, Anita Erskine and two others granted diplomatic passports by Foreign Minister

September 18, 2025

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has presented diplomatic passports to five high-profile Ghanaians, travel vlogger Wode Maya, Grammy-nominated reggae artist Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster Anita Erskine, visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE, in a move meant to strengthen Ghana’s cultural and people-to-people diplomacy.

The Minister announced this on Wednesday, September 17, at the launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025 being organised by the Office of the President – Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The five recipients were selected for their international reach and track records of promoting Ghana and African culture abroad. The diplomatic passports are intended to help the individuals better “connect Ghana to the world” through cultural diplomacy, trade promotion, and international engagement.

Who the new envoys are

Wode Maya (Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon) — A Ghanaian travel vlogger and YouTuber whose channel showcases African destinations, stories and entrepreneurship. Wode Maya studied aeronautical engineering and has built a large online following by showcasing countries across the continent.

Rocky Dawuni — An internationally recognised Ghanaian reggae musician and activist with multiple Grammy nominations. Dawuni’s music and advocacy on peace, environment and culture have made him a prominent figure in cultural diplomacy.

Anita Erskine — A veteran broadcaster and media entrepreneur known for hosting flagship programmes and championing youth, women’s empowerment and pan-African conversations. Erskine is bilingual and has an established profile across Ghanaian and African media.

Ibrahim Mahama — A leading contemporary visual artist from Tamale, internationally exhibited and celebrated for large-scale installations that engage themes of labour, history and material culture. Mahama’s work has been shown at major venues worldwide.

Dentaa Amoateng MBE — A British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of the GUBA (Ghana UK-Based Achievements) Awards and GUBA Enterprise, Dentaa has a long record of Diaspora engagement, entrepreneurship promotion and cultural advocacy.

Purpose and justification

According to the information provided, the diplomatic passports are part of a targeted approach to broaden Ghana’s diplomatic toolkit by empowering high-profile cultural ambassadors who can advance trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and Ghana’s soft-power interests abroad. The recipients’ combined profiles — digital reach, artistic renown, broadcast influence, cultural entrepreneurship and global networks — are intended to amplify Ghana’s image and access in key markets.

Reactions and context

The five beneficiaries are well known for work that projects Ghana on the global stage: Wode Maya for storytelling and travel content across Africa; Rocky Dawuni for music and international advocacy; Anita Erskine for media and public engagement; Ibrahim Mahama for contemporary art that sparks global conversations; and Dentaa Amoateng for diaspora mobilisation and entrepreneurship platforms. Each brings a different strand of influence — digital, artistic, broadcast, curatorial and diaspora networks — that the Ministry appears to be leveraging for people-centred diplomacy.

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