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.
The recipients include YouTuber and celebrated travel vlogger Wodemaya, whose captivating content has reshaped Africa’s digital storytelling; Grammy-nominated reggae legend Rocky Dawuni, whose music carries Ghana’s voice across continents; trailblazing broadcaster and media personality Anita Erskine; world-renowned visual artist Ibrahim Mahama; and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE, founder of GUBA Enterprise, known for strengthening ties within the African diaspora.
This rare gesture signals a refreshing shift in how the nation recognizes her heroes. No longer is the diplomatic passport reserved solely for politicians and the political elite.
Instead, it is now being extended to ordinary Ghanaians who, through extraordinary deeds, have become global ambassadors of Ghana’s pride, culture, and identity.
Each of these honorees embodies the Ghanaian spirit of hard work, creativity, and resilience. By breaking boundaries in their respective fields, they have raised the nation’s flag high and carried Ghana’s story to the world.
This act of recognition is more than ceremonial—it is a statement that Ghana values the contributions of her citizens in shaping the country’s image abroad. It is also a call to action for every Ghanaian to see themselves as custodians of the nation’s honor and destiny.
With this decision, the government has sent a clear message: those who carry Ghana in their hearts and work tirelessly to showcase her greatness will be carried along with the nation’s highest honors.
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.
Hon. Ablakwa applauded the honorees, noting that their achievements continue to elevate Ghana’s reputation on the world stage.
“Congratulations; keep bringing Ghana renown,” he said in a Facebook post celebrating the announcement.
The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to celebrating citizens who project Ghana positively and to strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties with the diaspora.
Risks, Critiques, and Potential Pitfalls
If criteria for choosing recipients are vague or opaque, the public see this as favoritism or political patronage, selecting those close to power rather than those most effective. It risks creating a two‑tier system of cultural influencers.
Diplomatic passports carry privileges—potentially visa waivers, expedited entry, diplomatic courtesies. If these are misused, it could raise concerns both domestically and from foreign governments about abuse, undermining diplomatic norms and trust.
Many recipients are not state employees. Their activities are often private or commercial in nature. There could be confusion about what qualifies as “official representation,” especially when engagements are mixed (commercial and cultural). This could complicate accountability—who covers costs, who ensures proper representation, and who oversees obligations.
Some foreign states object if individuals with diplomatic passports are seen engaging in activities beyond what is normally considered acceptable for diplomats—or if they use privileges in ways foreign states perceive as improper. Historically, diplomatic passports were regulated tightly to avoid such diplomatic friction.
The grant of diplomatic passports to Wode Maya, Rocky Dawuni, Anita Erskine, Ibrahim Mahama, and Dentaa Amoateng is a bold and promising step toward modernizing how Ghana projects itself globally.
It acknowledges the power of culture, media, diaspora, and creativity as tools of statecraft. However, without transparent selection, clear accountability, and stringent oversight, the policy risks becoming symbolic or, worse, controversial.
If implemented with care, this move could strengthen Ghana’s soft power, deepen diaspora connections, and amplify the nation’s voice on the global stage. But symbolism alone will not suffice; results will matter.
READ ALSO: NPP’s Ahiagbah Pushes For Strong Measures Against Galamsey
