Popular American YouTuber IShowSpeed is set to receive a Ghanaian passport following his recent visit to Ghana during his Africa tour.
The 21-year-old content creator, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., made Ghana one of the final stops on his live-streamed journey across 20 African countries. The tour, tagged “Speed Does Africa,” officially came to an end on Tuesday.
Following his visit, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the YouTube star, describing him as a “worthy ambassador” for both Ghana and the African continent, according to the BBC.
Ablakwa explained that the approval came after confirmation of IShowSpeed’s ties to the country. During one of his live streams in Ghana, the influencer revealed that his mother is Ghanaian.
The minister encouraged the YouTuber to continue representing Ghana and Africa positively on the global stage, adding that the country celebrates his efforts.
IShowSpeed, who has amassed over 50 million subscribers on YouTube, drew worldwide attention during his Africa tour, earning praise for showcasing African cultures and challenging long-held stereotypes about the continent.
However, while many Ghanaians welcomed the development, others criticised the decision on social media, arguing that granting a Ghanaian passport to foreign celebrities diminishes its value.
