Jump to content

Wode Maya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wode Maya
Wode Maya in 2023
Born (1990-03-03) 3 March 1990 (age 35)
Ahekofi, Ghana
EducationShenyang Aerospace University
OccupationYouTuber
SpouseMiss Trudy
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2013–present
Subscribers1.86 million
Views289 million
Last updated: 21 October 2025
Websitewodemaya.me

Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon (born March 3, 1990), popularly known as Wode Maya,[1] is a Ghanaian YouTube personality, vlogger,[2] digital media influencer,[3] and aeronautical engineer.[4][5][6] His name Wode Maya (Wǒ de Mà yà) translates as "Oh my God" in the Chinese language.[7] In 2017, he took a video in a bus where seats were empty beside him and other passengers stood due to his skin colour and the video went viral.[8] He is acclaimed to be one of the top and most Influential YouTubers in Africa.[9][10][11][12][13]

Early life and education

[edit]

Wode Maya is from Ahekofi, Kofikrom, a town in the Western region of Ghana.[14] He attended the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU).[15][5]

Career

[edit]

He was still a student when he started vlogging in China about his experiences and later quit his job as an aeronautical engineer.[16][17] His moniker Wode Maya comes from the Mandarin expression wǒ de mā ya (我的妈呀, lit. "Oh, my mom!"), which is an interjection that roughly equates to English "Oh my god!" In December 2021, he started his own real estate company and said it will be known as "CHARLIEMAG Estate" located in East Legon.[18] He was one of six prominent YouTubers from around the world invited to cover the annual conference of the World Economic Forum in 2023.[19] He was also invited to cover the 2023 Munich Security Conference.[20]

Recognition

[edit]

Diplomatic Passport

[edit]

On September 17, 2025, Wode Maya and four other distinguished Ghanaians received diplomatic passports from Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in recognition of their contributions to promoting Ghana and Africa's image globally.[21][22][23]

Personal life

[edit]

Wode Maya is married to Miss Trudy, a Kenyan YouTuber.[24][15][25]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Wode Maya donated roughly $10,000 for a dumpsite to be transformed into a park after being inspired by a man in Kwahu.[26][27] In 2021, he helped raise $10,000 to cater to the educational needs of one-hundred children. He claimed it was more than a donation and called on others to take up such deeds.[28][29]

Accolades

[edit]

Wode Maya won Online Creator of the Year at the 2022 Entertainment Achievement Awards.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Berthold Kobby Winkler - ZionFelix.net". Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Namibian YouTubers unite". Truth, for its own sake. (in Ossetic). Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Wode Maya's Visit to South Sudan". Good Vibes Magazine. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  4. ^ Russell, Monique (11 January 2021). "Courage to Love All Things Africa: Wode Maya Youtube Channel". Monique Russell, Executive Communication Coach. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Meet Wode Maya, the top Ghanaian YouTuber who quit his aeronautical engineering job to tell the African story". Face2Face Africa. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  6. ^ Akpeko, Wodoto Lawson (24 November 2021). "READ : Vlogger Wode Maya sends a message to President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo". Coverghana.com.gh. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  7. ^ Kane, Dane (18 March 2021). "Wode Maya Surpases Ghanaian Rapper Sarkodie To Become The Most Subscribed YouTube Channel In Ghana » Newzandar News". Newzandar News. Retrieved 21 December 2021.[dead link]
  8. ^ Mullin, Kyle (23 May 2017). "Controversial Ghanaian Vlogger Mr. Wode Maya Speaks About the "Problems Black People Face in China"". www.thebeijinger.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  9. ^ "WODE MAYA". YouTube. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  10. ^ zeinat (15 July 2021). "Ghanaians didn't accept me – Wode Maya shares journey on becoming one of the most Influential YouTubers in Africa". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Ghana Tourism Authority ignored me in the past but now they are chasing me all over- Wode Maya". HitzGh News. 15 July 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Mr. Akwasi Awua Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs Meets with Africa's Most Influential Youtuber, Wode Maya – DIASPORA AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT". Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  13. ^ Namibian, The. "Content creator Wode Maya returns to Namibia". The Namibian. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Meet the Ghanaian YouTuber who quit his aeronautical engineering job to tell the African story". GhanaWeb. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b Debrah, Ameyaw. "Love made on YouTube! How an unromantic Wode Maya won the heart of Miss Trudy with flowers". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  16. ^ Legit.ng (28 October 2020). "Man who quit aeronautical engineering job becomes much celebrated YouTuber". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya shares story of how it all began". Asaase Radio. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Popular YouTuber, Wode Maya Starts His Own Real Estate Construction (Photos) - ZionFelix.net". 6 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Meet the YouTube creators covering Davos 2023 from the inside". World Economic Forum. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  20. ^ "The YouTube Studio Creators and Christoph Heusgen - Munich Security Conference". securityconference.org. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Wode Maya, Rocky Dawumi, Dentaa, two others granted diplomatic passports". 17 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  22. ^ Ghartey, Raphael (18 September 2025). "Dentaa, Wode Maya, Ibrahim Mahama react to diplomatic passport honour". 3News. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Wode Maya reacts as government grants diplomatic passports to him and 4 others | Pulse Ghana". www.pulse.com.gh. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  24. ^ "Wode Maya marries longtime girlfriend on the deathday of her mother". GhanaWeb. 14 September 2022.
  25. ^ Makokha, Justus Kizito Siboe (25 February 2023). "Month wherein black pride is vlogged". The Star.
  26. ^ "Wode Maya: Current biggest Ghanaian youtuber donates over Ghc 59,000 to keep 100 kids in school". myinfo.com.gh. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  27. ^ TSB News (24 July 2021). "Ghanaian Youtuber, Wode Maya Donates N4m To Keep 100 Kids In School | tsbnews.com". Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  28. ^ Tuko.co.ke (20 July 2021). "YouTuber Wode Maya donates over KSh 1 million to keep 100 kids in school". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Popular Ghanaian YouTuber, Wode Maya Donates over Ghc 59,000 to keep 100 kids in School - Video". 19 July 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Full list of winners at 2022 Entertainment Achievement Awards". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wode_Maya&oldid=1320520500"