The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to popular American streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed, following confirmation of what the Minister described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to Ghana.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision in a post on Tuesday, January 27, stating that the approval was reached after discussions established IShowSpeed’s connection to the country.
“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,” the Minister said.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that the move reflects Ghana’s openness to welcoming members of the global African family who positively project the country on the international stage. He encouraged the influencer to continue promoting Ghana and Africa globally, describing him as a worthy ambassador whose impact extends beyond entertainment.
The Minister also acknowledged other individuals who have similarly represented Ghana positively, revealing that diplomatic passports were issued last year to persons he described as ambassadors of Ghana and the African continent.
The approval follows IShowSpeed’s widely publicised “Speed Does Africa” tour, which culminated in a large-scale visit to Ghana on Monday, January 26. During the tour, the streamer immersed himself in Ghanaian culture, drawing significant local and global attention.
A major highlight of the visit was a traditional enstoolment ceremony at Akropong in the Eastern Region, where IShowSpeed received the name Barima Kofi Akuffo during a spiritual naming ceremony. His itinerary also included visits to cultural and historic sites such as the Asenema Waterfalls and the palace at Akropong-Akuapem.
In Accra, he toured Black Star Square, participated in a supercar drifting session and a jollof rice tasting, and visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. He also engaged in boxing activities in Bukom and later visited the Hammamat Montia Shea Butter Museum, where the tour concluded with a traditional farewell ceremony.
