Five distinguished Ghanaians have been granted diplomatic passports by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in recognition of their international influence and contributions to promoting Ghana’s image abroad.
The recipients are travel vlogger Wode Maya (Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon), Grammy-nominated reggae musician Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster and media entrepreneur Anita Erskine, contemporary visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 17, during the launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025, organised by the Office of the President – Diaspora Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Ministry, the move is part of a broader strategy to expand Ghana’s diplomatic toolkit by leveraging cultural diplomacy, trade promotion, and people-to-people engagement. The chosen individuals were recognised for their international reach and consistent efforts in projecting Ghana and Africa positively on the global stage.
Profiles of the New Cultural Envoys
• Wode Maya: A pioneering Ghanaian travel vlogger whose YouTube platform showcases African destinations, culture, and entrepreneurship to millions of viewers worldwide. Originally trained in aeronautical engineering, he has become one of the continent’s most influential digital storytellers.
• Rocky Dawuni: A globally acclaimed reggae musician and activist, Dawuni is known not only for his multiple Grammy nominations but also for advocacy in peacebuilding, environmental sustainability, and cultural diplomacy.
• Anita Erskine: A respected broadcaster and media personality with a career spanning flagship television and radio programmes. She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, youth development, and pan-African dialogue.
• Ibrahim Mahama: One of Ghana’s leading contemporary artists, internationally celebrated for his large-scale installations that interrogate history, labour, and material culture. His works have been exhibited in major cultural spaces around the world.
• Dentaa Amoateng MBE: A British-Ghanaian entrepreneur, founder of the GUBA Awards and GUBA Enterprise, she has played a central role in diaspora engagement, entrepreneurship, and cultural advocacy.
Purpose and Impact
By equipping these figures with diplomatic passports, the government seeks to strengthen Ghana’s soft power on the world stage. Their combined influence — spanning digital platforms, music, broadcasting, contemporary art, and diaspora networks — is expected to create new avenues for cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and trade opportunities.
The initiative underscores Ghana’s recognition that diplomacy is no longer limited to traditional statecraft but extends to cultural ambassadors whose voices and platforms resonate globally.
