Reggae star Rocky Dawuni has shared his joy and gratitude after being honored with a diplomatic passport by the Government of Ghana.
The honour was announced on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, during the media launch of the Diaspora Summit 2025, jointly organised by the Office of the President, Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Rocky Dawuni, alongside travel vlogger Wode Maya, broadcaster Anita Erskine, visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE, received the recognition for their contributions in projecting Ghana and Africa positively on the global stage.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ghana’s diplomatic presence by empowering cultural ambassadors whose global reach can boost trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and soft power diplomacy.
Reflecting on the moment, the Grammy-nominated musician explained that the honour came unexpectedly.
“I attended the event because it was in line with what I do and represent, but it never crossed my mind that something like this would happen until the minister made the announcement. When they mentioned my name, I was very surprised. I was excited, happy, and grateful.”
Rocky Dawuni
For Dawuni, his work in music and diaspora promotion has always been driven by passion rather than recognition.
“I do what I do without having awards or accolades in mind. I’ve always believed that if what we do—whether music, acting, or anything creative—is a calling or a gift, then the gratitude is the ability to do it and do it well at the highest level. Anything else that comes with it is an add-on, an honour, or a gratitude.”
Rocky Dawuni
He added that receiving the diplomatic passport was deeply meaningful because it acknowledged his lifelong mission to use music as a tool for cultural promotion.
“I was excited, happy and grateful, you know. I was filled with gratitude because here I am, as a child of Ghana, using my music to project my country, our culture, and our people. For the minister to bestow this honour to help facilitate my work as a cultural persona — something I was already doing — made me feel honoured and truly grateful.”
Rocky Dawuni
Rocky Dawuni Laments Radio Recycling Old Reggae Songs
The multiple Grammy-nominated reggae musician expressed concern that Ghanaian radio stations are keeping reggae music stuck in the past by continually recycling songs that are over a decade old instead of spotlighting fresh releases.
Rocky Dawuni said many radio stations have failed to update their reggae playlists or explore the wealth of new music being produced by contemporary reggae artists.
“When you listen to the radio shows in Ghana, I turn on various reggae shows. When you listen, the set list or the playlist is still the same playlist that I’ve been hearing for the last 15 years. There has not been reinvigoration or exploration to bring new music that we are putting out there. You put out a reggae song, and then you listen. But in terms of the reggae shows, it’s still playing the same songs that we used to hear.
“And I’m not saying that those songs are good or they’re not good. All I’m saying is that there is that real estate of opportunity that almost all radio stations have shown for reggae music, but it has not been converted as a means to support the local homegrown reggae music, which it needs to do.”
Rocky Dawuni
He believes this lack of support is one of the main reasons many Ghanaian reggae musicians now blend reggae with other genres. “That’s why artists sometimes have to integrate other genres in order for them to pivot themselves to get more airplay and recognition from other genres that are looking at authentic sounds coming from our country in order to project it,” he said.
According to Rocky Dawuni, Ghana is not lacking in quality reggae music. In fact, he said, many local productions are on par with international standards.
However, he lamented that radio slots dedicated to reggae have not been effectively used to promote homegrown talent, calling for a “reset in mindset” when it comes to reggae programming.
“So, I feel there needs to be a total reset of the mindset when it comes to the reggae that is being played on the slots of reggae for most of our stations to integrate. I’m not saying that if music is not well-prepared, it’s not up to par, you should play it just because it’s Ghanaian.
“But there is a lot of great Ghanaian reggae that is on par with anyone you can find anywhere around the world. It should be integrated with all of the ones that are being played.”
Rocky Dawuni
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