Ghanaian travel vlogger and YouTube sensation, Wode Maya, has expressed his sincere gratitude to the Ghanaian government for bestowing upon him a diplomatic passport.
On Wednesday, September 17, the well-known content creator—whose real name is Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon—along with four other notable Ghanaians were presented with their passports during a ceremony presided over by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The gesture aims to leverage their influence in entertainment, media, arts, and philanthropy to foster African cohesion, cultural exchange, and integration across the continent.
Taking to his Facebook page shortly after the gesture was announced, Wode Maya shared his excitement and disbelief, calling the moment a dream come true.
“We’ve been on this incredible journey showcasing Ghana and the African continent to the world and never in my wildest dreams did I think a proud village boy like me would be holding a Diplomatic Passport. I’m truly humbled and deeply grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana,” he wrote.
The initiative, announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noted that their individual works have promoted the unity of African people around the world, hence the recognition to aid them to do more.
The move will see Wode Maya, Denta Amoateng, Rocky Dawuni, Anita Erskine, and artist Ibrahim Mahama receive diplomatic passports to support their work in advancing African cohesion on the global stage.
They have also been designated as ambassadors to promote the 2025 Diaspora Summit, which will take place in Ghana from December 17th to 20th.
Diplomatic passports are traditionally reserved for Ghanaian government officials, diplomats, and envoys traveling abroad on state assignments.
They are granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President and entitle holders to diplomatic privileges and, in some cases, visa exemptions.
The development comes weeks after the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, recalled all diplomatic passports issued by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The move, the Ministry explained, was to streamline and review eligibility after concerns were raised about the issuance of diplomatic passports to persons outside official government or diplomatic service.
Story sourced from Raphael Ghartey | 3News.com
