Popular American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed is set to receive a Ghanaian passport following his recent visit to the country as part of his widely publicised Africa tour.
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The 21-year-old content creator, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., visited Ghana as one of the final destinations on his live-streamed tour across 20 African countries. The tour, titled “Speed Does Africa,” officially came to an end on Tuesday.
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Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that his office had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the YouTube star, describing him as a worthy ambassador for Ghana and the African continent.
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IShowSpeed’s Ghanaian roots
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The decision was reportedly made after confirmation of IShowSpeed’s Ghanaian roots, as he revealed during a live stream that his mother is Ghanaian.
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The minister also encouraged the influencer to continue promoting Ghana and Africa positively on the global stage, noting that the country celebrates his contributions to reshaping narratives about the continent.
IShowSpeed’s prominence
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IShowSpeed, who has over 50 million subscribers on YouTube, gained widespread praise during his Africa tour for highlighting African cultures, lifestyles, and cities, while challenging long-held stereotypes about the continent.
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However, the announcement has stirred mixed reactions among Ghanaians. While many welcomed the decision and applauded the government’s recognition of the influencer’s impact, others criticised the move, arguing that granting passports to foreign celebrities could diminish the value of Ghanaian citizenship.
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