Ghana has granted citizenship to American YouTube star IShowSpeed, marking a rare convergence of digital influence, diaspora engagement and modern cultural diplomacy.
The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who confirmed that the government had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the globally followed content creator after what he described as ‘confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana’.
In a post on X, Ablakwa praised the influencer’s impact, writing: ‘Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you.’
The decision comes as the 21-year-old concludes a month-long tour across Africa that has drawn extraordinary attention online and ignited debate over the power of social media in shaping the continent’s global image.
Why this matters
Ghana’s move reflects a growing shift in African soft power strategy, where digital creators with global reach now influence international perception as much as traditional diplomacy, tourism campaigns or state media.
From Ohio to Accra
Born Darren Jason Watkins Jr. in Cincinnati, Ohio, IShowSpeed rose from gaming livestreams to become one of the most recognisable personalities on the internet.
Earlier this month, he surpassed 50 million subscribers on YouTube, placing him among the platform’s most followed creators worldwide. Forbes estimates his net worth at approximately $20 million, generated through advertising revenue, brand partnerships and livestream engagement.
Although American by birth, Ghanaian officials say his connection to the country — and to Africa more broadly — has grown beyond casual tourism.
A continent reintroduced
IShowSpeed’s Africa journey began on December 29 and took him to 20 countries in just over four weeks.
During the tour, he livestreamed visits to a diamond mine in Botswana, explored Ethiopia’s culinary traditions, engaged with local youth communities and attended the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.
The unscripted nature of his content — filmed largely on mobile phones and broadcast live — allowed millions of viewers to witness everyday African life rarely shown in Western media coverage.
Clips from the tour attracted tens of millions of views within hours, spreading rapidly across TikTok, Instagram and X.
Challenging old narratives
Across social media, many users credited the influencer with reshaping their understanding of Africa.
Comments frequently highlighted modern infrastructure, bustling cities, humour, hospitality and youth culture — images sharply at odds with decades of conflict-heavy television reporting.
‘This is not the Africa we were taught to expect,’ one widely shared post read.
Media analysts say such exposure carries significant weight.
‘When someone with 50 million subscribers shows Africa through curiosity rather than crisis, it fundamentally alters perception,’ said one Accra-based digital media consultant.
Digital diplomacy in action
Ghana’s decision aligns with its long-standing outreach to the African diaspora, including the landmark 2019 ‘Year of Return’ initiative and the ongoing ‘Beyond the Return’ programme.
Officials increasingly view diaspora engagement not only through ancestry and investment, but through storytelling power — especially among younger global audiences
Granting citizenship to a high-profile African American creator signals an evolving definition of belonging in an era shaped by platforms rather than passports alone.
Public reaction and debate
While the move was widely welcomed online, some critics questioned whether celebrity citizenship risks overshadowing ordinary migrants who face lengthy naturalisation processes.
The government has not disclosed whether the passport was issued through presidential discretion or under existing nationality provisions.
However, the foreign ministry maintained that the decision reflects recognition of IShowSpeed’s positive representation of Ghana and Africa worldwide.
What comes next
As his tour concludes, IShowSpeed has hinted at returning to the continent later this year, potentially for longer stays and collaborations with African creators.
For Ghana, the gesture underscores a clear message: in 2025, national image is shaped not only by policy statements or summits — but by who tells the story, and how many people are watching.
