Ghanaian travel vlogger and global YouTube personality Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, popularly known as Wode Maya, has urged Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to rise above tribalism and partisan politics.

Appearing on PrimeTime with George Quaye on Joy Prime, the digital creator addressed recent online attacks, revealing attempts by some individuals to incite tribal tensions against him, particularly among the Ashanti community.

“I remember recently they tried to turn the Ashantis against me,” he said. “They’re trying all they can, but Wode Maya goes beyond Ghana. And I keep telling you all that I don’t even see tribes.”

Proudly identifying as a Fante, Wode Maya was clear about where his loyalty lies.

“I am a pure Fante guy, and I’m so proud of being a Fante guy. But I’ve never gone beyond the shores of Ghana and just claimed that I’m a Fante. I claim Ghanaian,” he said.

He also recalled being criticised for encouraging the widespread use of Twi as a national language, a stance he says was misunderstood.

“I was saying that we should speak Twi everywhere, but they came for me,” he noted.

The vlogger, who has spent years documenting inspiring African stories and promoting unity across the continent, used the platform to express his deep frustration over how politics and tribal divisions are holding Ghana back.

“We need to think about how to develop our country,” he urged. “We need to figure out how to build this country. We need to have Ghana beyond tribe, Ghana beyond politics… we need to have a prosperous Ghana.”

He lamented the growing role of young people in fuelling tribal and political divisions.

“It saddens my heart whenever I see young people are the ones that are actually carrying these foolish notions around,” he said.

According to Wode Maya, the problem is being exacerbated by politicians who exploit tribal and political loyalties for personal gain.

“The politicians know us so well and they just use us to achieve their goals, and you see them fuelling it.”

With his experiences travelling across Africa, he reflected on Ghana’s decline in contrast to its early promise under Kwame Nkrumah.

“One day, I wish the youth of this country would know that I am with them. And when I speak, maybe with the experience that I have in life, you have never experienced it,” he said. “Politics, tribes, partisan politics – it’s just a way of destroying you. Let’s focus on how to build this country.”

He added, “If President Mahama is in power, how do we support this country? When I travel in Africa and I see the potentials that Ghana has, the Ghana that Nkrumah built and the Ghana we’re building now, it saddens my heart, because we’ve literally destroyed this country with politics.”