Ghanaian travel vlogger and YouTube sensation Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon (Wode Maya) has spoken out about the persistent lack of understanding surrounding digital careers and the value of building an online presence.

Appearing on PrimeTime with George Quaye on Joy Prime on Thursday, October 9, the internationally recognised content creator shared his thoughts on the public perception of online work, especially within African communities.

“I feel like people don’t have education about having an online presence,” he said. “Sometimes people see and they think you are jobless. And I’m like, yeah thank God I’m jobless.”

Wode Maya, whose platform highlights positive African stories and promotes intra-African travel and entrepreneurship, used the opportunity to challenge the stereotype that digital content creation is not ‘real work’.

“We have employed so many people,” he explained. “I don’t do this all by myself, even though I’m the face of the whole brand. I’ve got a whole team of over 12 to 13 people, and all these people get paid. I travel with two people.”

The content creator has reached a significant milestone on Facebook with approximately 3 million followers, while his YouTube channel now boasts close to 1.85 million subscribers.

Recently, he was honoured with a diplomatic passport by the Government of Ghana for his efforts in promoting Ghana and Africa to a global audience.