Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says the government has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the American internet personality IShowSpeed, citing what he described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to the country.
In a statement posted on Tuesday, the minister said the decision followed consultations that confirmed the streamer’s connection to Ghana, adding that the move reflects the country’s openness to members of the global African community who promote Ghana positively on the international stage.
Mr Ablakwa encouraged the influencer to continue projecting Ghana and Africa globally, describing him as a positive representative whose influence extends beyond entertainment.
The approval comes after IShowSpeed’s recent “Speed Does Africa” tour, which ended with a high-profile visit to Ghana that drew large crowds and widespread online attention.
During his stay, the streamer took part in several cultural and heritage activities, including a traditional naming ceremony in Akropong, where he was given the name Barima Kofi Akuffo. He also visited historic and cultural sites such as the Asenema Waterfalls, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Black Star Square.
Other activities included a jollof rice tasting, boxing sessions in Bukom, and a visit to the Hammamat Montia Shea Butter Museum, where his tour concluded with a traditional farewell ceremony.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also noted that Ghana had previously issued diplomatic passports to individuals he described as ambassadors of the country and the African continent.
