The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has officially presented diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians in recognition of their exceptional contributions to promoting the country’s image on the international stage.
The honourees are travel video blogger Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, popularly known as Wode Maya; Grammy-nominated reggae artiste Rocky Dawuni; broadcaster and entrepreneur Anita Erskine; contemporary visual artist Ibrahim Mahama; and British-Ghanaian entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng.
They received their passports at a brief ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Acting Chief Director of the MFA, Ambassador Kadidja Iddrisu, and virtually joined by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie.
The announcement of the recognition was first made at the launch of the 2025 Diaspora Summit on September 17, where the MFA, in collaboration with the Office of the President – Diaspora Affairs, confirmed the five honourees under NLCD 155.
Mr. Ablakwa stressed that the process was objective and devoid of lobbying, political, or partisan considerations. “None of our distinguished Ghanaians receiving these diplomatic passports applied for it. They did not lobby for it and they did not initiate the process. This is entirely a country saying it is time to honour our heroes,” he stated.
He further emphasised: “We want to also state that there was no political or partisan consideration at all. We have not asked anybody to show us a party card. We are not interested in that because this is about Ghana. It’s about the flag of Ghana. It’s about the image of our country. You have made us so proud across all regimes.”
The Minister added that the initiative is only the beginning, with plans to recognise more individuals in the future. “We want to send a clear message that diplomatic passports are not only for politicians, chiefs, pastors, or diplomats. We can broaden it when we see that you are truly promoting our country,” he explained.
In her virtual remarks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Dzifa Abla Gomashie urged the honourees to continue leveraging their platforms to project Ghana’s culture, arts, and tourism potential despite the country’s infrastructure challenges. She noted that the passports symbolised a shared responsibility to advance Ghana’s global interests.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Anita Erskine expressed gratitude to the government for the honour. She praised the unique contributions of her fellow honourees, describing Wode Maya’s adventures, Rocky Dawuni’s music, Ibrahim Mahama’s innovative art, and Dentaa Amoateng’s diaspora engagement as powerful tools of national promotion.
Ms. Erskine stressed that the diplomatic passports represented more than personal recognition. “They belong to the nation,” she said, pledging that the recipients would continue to showcase Ghana’s greatness and inspire future generations to pursue their passions.
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