IShowSpeed to Receive Ghanaian Passport After Africa Tour

• American YouTuber IShowSpeed is set to receive a Ghanaian passport after confirming his Ghanaian roots during his Africa tour.
• Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister approved the move, praising the influencer for positively promoting Ghana and Africa worldwide, though the decision has sparked mixed reactions among citizens.

Popular American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed is set to receive a Ghanaian passport following his recent visit to Ghana as part of his widely publicised Africa tour.

The 21-year-old content creator, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., visited Ghana as one of the final stops on his live-streamed tour across 20 African countries. The tour, titled “Speed Does Africa,” officially concluded on Tuesday.

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.

According to the minister, the decision followed confirmation of IShowSpeed’s Ghanaian roots. During a live stream, the influencer revealed that his mother is Ghanaian, a claim that reportedly influenced the approval process.

Ablakwa also encouraged the content creator to continue promoting Ghana and Africa positively on the global stage, noting that the country appreciates his role in reshaping narratives about the continent. He added that IShowSpeed’s reach and influence among young people worldwide have helped showcase African culture, cities, and everyday life beyond stereotypes.

IShowSpeed, who boasts over 50 million subscribers on YouTube, received widespread praise during his Africa tour for immersing himself in local cultures and highlighting the vibrancy of African societies through his content.

However, the announcement has generated mixed reactions among Ghanaians. While many welcomed the move and applauded the government for recognising the influencer’s impact, others expressed concern, arguing that granting passports to foreign celebrities could undermine the value of Ghanaian citizenship.