'I have been arrested, beaten over my ordinary Ghanaian passport' - Wode Maya

Popular Ghanaian travel vlogger, Wode Maya, has expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian government after being awarded a diplomatic passport, while recounting the hardships he faced during the times he travelled with the ordinary passport. The diplomatic passports were presented on October 1, 2025, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, 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 globally.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV after the event, Wode Maya revealed that his ordinary passport had at times led to arrests, deportations, and even physical assaults abroad. “This has been very hard.

I have been arrested, deported, and sometimes I even get beaten because of the passport I am holding,” Wode Maya said. He added that many such ordeals often go unreported publicly, but they do happen in reality.

He also stated that this new status will help “protect and defend” him in certain situations abroad. Wode Maya expressed sincere thanks to Ghana and in particular President John Dramani Mahama for recognizing his work, saying: “I feel so happy, the fact that the country decided to honor what I do… So I would say thank you to Ghana, especially the President.” Watch the video below:

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Source: GhanaWeb