Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, widely recognised as Wodemaya, has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential digital storytellers, transforming the continent’s global image through vlogs, documentaries, and social media engagement. Born on March 3, 1994, in Ahekofi, Kofikrom, a town in Ghana’s Western Region, Wodemaya has carved a unique niche as a Ghanaian YouTube personality, aeronautical engineer, and cultural ambassador.
His online pseudonym, Wǒ de Mà yà, translates from Chinese as “Oh my God,” a nod to his early experiences in China where he studied at the Beijing Language and Culture University. In 2017, a viral video captured him in a bus with empty seats beside him while other passengers stood, allegedly due to his skin colour, spotlighting issues of racial prejudice and marking a pivotal moment in his advocacy for African visibility.
Wodemaya’s content, under the flagship movement Africa to the World, has highlighted African entrepreneurs, creators, and communities often overlooked by mainstream media. His work has garnered millions of subscribers, hundreds of millions of views, and international acclaim. In 2022, he was awarded Online Creator of the Year at the Entertainment Achievement Awards, affirming his influence across the digital space.
Beyond YouTube, Wodemaya’s contributions to Ghana and Africa were recognised on September 17, 2025, when he, alongside four other distinguished Ghanaians, received diplomatic passports from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The gesture highlighted his role in cultural diplomacy, using storytelling to reshape perceptions of Africa globally.
His personal life reflects the global nature of his work; Wodemaya is married to Kenyan YouTuber Miss Trudy, another influential digital creator. Despite his engineering background, he chose to leave a conventional career path to follow a mission he describes as “showing Africa unfiltered, unapologetic, and full of colour and culture.”
In interviews, Wodemaya emphasises that his work is not merely entertainment, but a platform for identity, representation, and cultural exchange. “Beyond the numbers, the awards, and the passport stamps, this is about courage, the courage to bet on your purpose, challenge stereotypes, and carry the weight of a continent,” he said.
As a digital cultural diplomat, Wodemaya continues to travel across continents, sharing African stories in spaces where the continent has historically been underrepresented. His journey from a small Ghanaian town to global recognition exemplifies the power of new media to rewrite narratives, bridging cultures while inspiring a new generation of African storytellers.
By merging authentic storytelling with strategic digital influence, Wodemaya has become more than a content creator; he is a symbol of Africa’s potential on the world stage, showing that a camera, curiosity, and conviction can change perceptions, one story at a time.