Renowned African YouTube personality and digital media influencer Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, popularly known as Wode Maya, has urged emerging technocrats, students and young professionals to harness the power of digital storytelling to drive education and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the ongoing E-Learning Week and International Conference at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, the aeronautical engineer–turned–content creator shared practical insights and personal experiences on how digital platforms can transform lives and careers.

“Digital storytelling is all about converting your passion into a profession,” Wode Maya said. “Content creation is a gold mine that every individual possesses, but many do not even realize it. I urge everyone here to take that passion and put it online.”

Recounting his humble beginnings and how his passion for talking led him to start creating content for platforms like YouTube and Facebook, he said, “My first ever video I posted got five views, and I was very happy but today, the story is different. Now, that has become an attractive additional source of income.”

He encouraged beginners to use platforms such as YouTube and Facebook not only for entertainment but also as tools for education, personal branding and income generation.

He emphasized the importance of educating people to create value through content.

“Content creation in Ghana shouldn’t always be about insulting people. Every time I’m creating content or telling a story, I make sure that every video has value. So we must begin to create with the intention of impacting people’s lives. Be creative. As students, you can partner with your lecturers and discuss streaming lectures on YouTube.”

Wode Maya also highlighted the discipline required to succeed in digital media.

“Digital storytelling is not about being famous, it’s about being strategic. I have been doing videos for about a decade now. It took me two years to get a thousand people to subscribe to my channel, and that was an important foundation. You must be patient and consistent. Keep creating content. It takes one video to change your entire life on the platforms.”

He addressed common misconceptions about content creators. “Some people think content creators are fraudsters, but they don’t see the hours we invest filming, editing, researching, scripting. Authentic content takes effort and yes, it can generate serious income, legally and ethically.”

As part of his commitment to supporting student creators, he pledged to donate a GoPro camera to help them produce higher-quality content. He also expressed interest in working with the Director of the E-Learning Centre to organize training sessions on professional content creation and digital storytelling.

He added: “I encourage you all to look around you and be creative. Start creating content. Be known for your content. Be you, do you and forget about what others say.”