IShowSpeed, one of the world’s most popular content creators, is set to receive a Ghanaian passport following his highly anticipated trip to the West African nation. The announcement followed IShowSpeed’s visit to Ghana and a livestream to his over 50 million followers last Monday.
Ghana was the penultimate stop on the US influencer’s live-streamed, 20-country tour of Africa, which wrapped up on Tuesday.
His Ghanaian passport was approved following “confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana”, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa posted on social media.
In a post on social media, Mr. Ablakwa indicated that following discussions with YouTuber Wodemaya, and subsequent “confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, I am pleased to inform you and our compatriots that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian Passport to IShowSpeed.”
Following IShowSpeed’s visit, Ghana’s foreign minister announced that his office had approved a passport for the YouTuber, who he called a “worthy ambassador”.
The “Speed Does Africa” tour has been watched around the world, with many praising it for helping to break stereotypes about the continent and showcasing numerous African cultures to the world.
IShowSpeed, aged 21, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr, has more than 50 million YouTube subscribers, with his Africa tour contributing to the growth of his platform.
While streaming in Ghana, the YouTuber told his audience that his mother was from the West African country.
In his post Hon. Ablakwa urged IShowSpeed to “keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud”. “Ghana celebrates you”, he added.
Many Ghanaians responded positively to Ablakwa’s announcement, but some accused the government of “devaluing” the country’s passport by handing them to foreign celebrities.
In recent years, Ghana has sought to promote itself throughout Africa’s huge global diaspora.
In 2024, Ghana offered Ghanaian citizenship to over 500 members of the diaspora. The recipients were mostly African-Americans, like the legendary US singer Stevie Wonder.
Other West African countries have also offered nationality to the descendants of those who were taken to the Americas during the slave trade.
During his visit to Ghana, IShowSpeed said he felt as though he was “back home,” and spent the day visiting iconic locations in the country.
He travelled to Ghana’s eastern region, where he took part in a traditional naming ceremony. Wearing the famous local kente cloth, he was given the new name “Barima Kofi Akuffo.”
During his 28-day tour of Africa, IShowSpeed visited countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Ivory Coast. He participated in various crowd-pulling activities, including racing a cheetah and dancing with members of the Masaai ethnic group.
IShowSpeed celebrated his 21st birthday with cake in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city.
Rolling Stone magazine named him the “most influential creator of 2025” and Forbes estimates his net worth to be $20m (£14.5m).
“Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud.
Ghana celebrates you both — you remain our worthy ambassadors, and we are ever so delighted to have granted you a diplomatic passport last year,” the Minister added.
Darren Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, is a 21-year-old man who has made his wildest dreams come true. With over 50 million subscribers across his YouTube channels and recently winning Streamer of the Year honours, Watkins is re-defining both digital and traditional media.
While most creators stick within the confines of their home country, Speed’s live streams have taken him around the world, from Southeast Asia to Europe to Australia and more. In many ways, he’s recapturing the magic of the late Anthony Bourdain, who toured the world through food and cooking, except Speed is doing it for a new generation through YouTube and live streaming.
He has been visiting African countries and streaming his visits live. He arrived in Ghana last Sunday, and on Monday, he was on a live stream, visiting Akropong, the Black Star Square, and the Kwame Nkrumah Park.
IShowSpeed ended his one-day tour in Ghana as part of his Africa Tour, which has seen him visit countries such as Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, and South Africa.
Additional Sources: Daily Graphic, BBC News
