Ghana Confers Citizenship on US YouTube Star IShowSpeed After Africa Tour

Ghana has granted citizenship to American YouTuber IShowSpeed, following his recent tour of Africa, in a move that has sparked widespread conversation across social media and digital media circles.

The decision was confirmed by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the 21-year-old content creator.

IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is one of the world’s most influential digital creators, with nearly 50 million subscribers on YouTube. Ghanaian authorities said his month-long stay on the continent demonstrated what they described as “irrefutable ties” to the country.

The announcement was made in a public statement addressed to prominent Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, a key figure in promoting African narratives on global platforms.

“Following our discussions 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,” Ablakwa said.

The foreign minister also praised the influencer’s role in projecting Ghana and Africa to a global audience, encouraging continued efforts to promote the continent positively.

The development has drawn mixed reactions online, with supporters viewing it as a bold embrace of digital influence and cultural diplomacy, while others debate the broader implications of citizenship-by-connection in the digital age.