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Claim: After Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya shared an image of what appeared to be a statue of himself in Accra, several Facebook users congratulated him, believing he had been honoured with a public monument.
Verdict: False! The viral image is AI-generated. Analysis using AI detection tools strongly indicates that it was artificially created. DUBAWA also traced the image to a TikTok creator known for publishing AI-generated artworks. Furthermore, there is no evidence that any statue of Wode Maya has been commissioned or unveiled anywhere in Ghana.
Full Text
On 24 June, Ghanaian travel YouTuber Wode Maya shared an image on his official Facebook page showing what appeared to be a bronze statue of himself mounted on a pedestal in Accra.
The monument bore the inscription: Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon (Wodemaya) and described him as,
“The Cultural Ambassador. A son of Ghana, a voice for Africa. He saw the light where others saw shadows.”
The post attracted enormous engagement, recording approximately 29,800 reactions, 942 comments and 256 shares. Many followers believed the monument was genuine and congratulated him.
Some comments included:
“Congratulations, Wodemaya, son of Ghana and Africa as a whole.”
“You deserved brother. Keep the fire on Wodemaya.”
“An accomplishment.”
Others focused on humorous details rather than questioning the authenticity.
One user wrote: “It would be made while putting on sandals, not shoes, because Wodemaya wears sandals.”
Another commented: “At first glance, I literally saw you standing physically on that stone.”
Several others debated whether the statue should have depicted him wearing slippers instead of shoes.
However, a few users questioned the image’s authenticity, noting that no official unveiling ceremony had been announced.
The widespread acceptance of the image prompted DUBAWA to verify whether Wode Maya had indeed received such a monument.
Verification
AI detection points to an artificially generated image
DUBAWA analysed the image using Hive Moderation’s AI detection model.
The analysis concluded that the image was:
- 99.9% likely to be AI-generated
- with approximately 95% confidence that it was produced using Google Gemini.
These scores indicate an extremely high probability that the picture was created using generative artificial intelligence rather than captured by a camera.
DUBAWA traced the image to an AI content creator
Further investigation found that the image did not originate with Wode Maya.
It was first published by the TikTok creator @timeless.david, whose page specialises almost entirely in AI-generated images. The account has approximately 242,000 followers and over one million likes.
A review of the page shows numerous AI-created images depicting celebrities, monuments and imaginary scenes. The Wode Maya statue image matches the style consistently used across the account.
No evidence that any statue has been unveiled
If Ghana had commissioned and unveiled a permanent bronze monument for one of its most recognised digital creators, such an event would almost certainly have attracted widespread media coverage.
DUBAWA searched major Ghanaian news organisations and official government communication channels but found no reports announcing:
- the commissioning of the statue;
- an unveiling ceremony;
- approval by any public authority; or
- installation of such a monument in Accra.
No credible media organisation reported the event.
The image itself contains multiple AI inconsistencies
Beyond AI detection, the picture contains several visual clues consistent with AI generation.
The surrounding environment is inconsistent
Although the image places the statue near Independence Square, the surrounding buildings, road layout and street arrangement do not accurately correspond with the actual area.
Anyone familiar with central Accra would notice that the environment appears to be an artificial blend of different locations rather than a real site.
Unrealistic commercial details
One striking inconsistency is the roadside kiosk labelled “Wode Maya Vlog.”
There is no known business operating under that name at the supposed location.
Instead, the wording resembles text commonly inserted by AI image generators based on prompts rather than real-world signage.
No unveiling ceremony
Large public monuments are normally unveiled through official ceremonies attended by government officials, traditional leaders, family members, invited guests and the media.
No photographs, videos or announcements exist showing such an event involving Wode Maya.
Why some users believed it
Unlike many AI images that contain distorted faces or unreadable text, this image is relatively convincing at first glance.
Wode Maya also posted the picture without indicating that it was AI-generated or digitally created.
As a result, many followers, particularly those outside Ghana who may not be familiar with Accra’s landmarks, accepted it as authentic and congratulated him.
Conclusion
The viral image claiming to show a newly unveiled statue of Wode Maya in Accra is false.
