Ghana has approved the issuance of citizenship to popular American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, also known as Darren Jason Watkins Jr., following his recent tour across Africa.
The announcement was made by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, who said the decision was based on what he described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to the country.
In a public statement shared on social media, Ablakwa confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had authorised the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the 21-year-old content creator, who boasts more than 50 million subscribers on YouTube.
According to the minister, the decision followed discussions and verification of IShowSpeed’s connection to Ghana, adding that the country remains proud of individuals who positively represent Ghana and the African continent on the global stage.
“Ghana celebrates you both,” Ablakwa wrote, referring to IShowSpeed and Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya. He noted that both creators had previously been granted diplomatic passports last year in recognition of their roles as cultural ambassadors.
IShowSpeed’s African tour began on December 29 and spanned approximately one month, during which he visited 20 countries. The tour drew widespread attention online for its focus on African culture, tourism, creativity, and technology, while also challenging long-held stereotypes about the continent.
The decision to grant him citizenship is widely viewed as aligning with Ghana’s Beyond the Return initiative, a policy aimed at strengthening connections with the African diaspora and encouraging people of African descent to formalise their relationship with the country.
Reactions to the announcement have been mixed. While some Ghanaians have welcomed the move as a strategic boost to the nation’s global visibility and soft power, others have questioned the significance of granting citizenship to foreign celebrities.
Despite the debate, the move has once again placed Ghana at the centre of conversations around diaspora engagement, cultural diplomacy, and Africa’s growing influence in global digital culture.
About the Author
