Five distinguished Ghanaians, including celebrated YouTuber Wode Maya and media personality Anita Erskine, are set to be issued diplomatic passports by the state as part of efforts to promote African unity and integration.
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.
Ibrahim Mahama, the artist.
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.
Denta Amoateng.
By granting new diplomatic passports to these five figures, the government says it aims to leverage their influence in entertainment, media, arts, and philanthropy to foster African cohesion, cultural exchange, and integration across the continent.
