Ghanaian travel vlogger Wode Maya has expressed his gratitude to the Ghanaian government after receiving a diplomatic passport, while reflecting on the difficulties he faced while traveling with an ordinary passport.
On October 1, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, awarded diplomatic passports to five Ghanaian creatives, including Wode Maya, Rocky Dawuni, Anita Erskine, Dentaa, and Ibrahim Mahama, in recognition of their efforts to promote Ghana’s image internationally.
In an interview with Channel One TV following the ceremony, Wode Maya shared that his ordinary passport had led to several challenges, including arrests, deportations, and even physical assaults abroad.
“This has been very tough. I’ve been arrested, deported, and sometimes even beaten because of the passport I hold,” he revealed, adding that many of these incidents are not reported publicly, though they do happen.
He also mentioned that his new status would provide better protection and defense in certain situations while traveling abroad.
Wode Maya expressed heartfelt thanks to Ghana and particularly to President John Dramani Mahama for recognizing his efforts, saying, “I’m so happy that the country has decided to honor what I do… So I want to say thank you to Ghana, especially the President.”
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