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. Ghana was the penultimate stop on the US influencer's live-streamed, 20-country tour of Africa, which wrapped up on Tuesday. 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. His Ghanaian passport was approved following confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa posted on social media. While streaming in Ghana, the YouTuber told his audience that his mother was from the West African country. Many Ghanaians responded positively to Ablakwa's post, but some accused the government of devaluing the country's passport by handing them to foreign celebrities.
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, including participation in a traditional naming ceremony. He traveled to Ghana's eastern region, where he was given the name Barima Kofi Akuffo while wearing the famous local kente cloth. In recent years, Ghana has sought to promote itself throughout Africa's huge global diaspora, offering citizenship to over 500 members of the diaspora in 2024, including notable figures like Stevie Wonder. IShowSpeed's tour included diverse experiences such as racing a cheetah and dancing with the Masaai ethnic group, solidifying his connection with the continent.
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. His Ghanaian passport was approved following confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa posted on social media. While streaming in Ghana, the YouTuber told his audience that his mother was from the West African country. Many Ghanaians responded positively to Ablakwa's post, but some accused the government of devaluing the country's passport by handing them to foreign celebrities.
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, including participation in a traditional naming ceremony. He traveled to Ghana's eastern region, where he was given the name Barima Kofi Akuffo while wearing the famous local kente cloth. In recent years, Ghana has sought to promote itself throughout Africa's huge global diaspora, offering citizenship to over 500 members of the diaspora in 2024, including notable figures like Stevie Wonder. IShowSpeed's tour included diverse experiences such as racing a cheetah and dancing with the Masaai ethnic group, solidifying his connection with the continent.
