Ghana has announced plans to grant citizenship to American YouTuber and live streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as IShowSpeed, following his recent visit to the country as part of his ongoing Speed Does Africa tour.
The decision was made public by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who said his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the 21-year-old content creator.
The minister described IShowSpeed as a “worthy ambassador” whose visit had positively represented the country on a global stage.
According to Ablakwa, the approval followed “confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana.”
During one of his livestreams while in Ghana, IShowSpeed told his audience that his mother was from the West African country. He also said he felt a strong personal connection to Ghana, describing the experience as feeling like he was “back home.”
IShowSpeed’s Ghana visit is part of his Speed Does Africa tour, which has taken him across several African countries.
During his stay in Ghana, IShowSpeed took part in several cultural activities. He was received by traditional leaders in Akropong, within the Akuapem Traditional Area, where he was given the traditional name Barima Kofi Akuffo during a naming ceremony.
Videos from the event surfaced online, showing the streamer dressed in traditional attire as elders performed symbolic rites.
While in Ghana, he also visited several iconic locations and cultural landmarks, sharing the experience with his global audience in real time.
The move to grant citizenship is as recognition of the tour’s impact.
IShowSpeed’s tour has not been limited to Ghana. His earlier stops in Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, Ethiopia and other countries drew crowds and significant online attention. In many locations, young fans gathered in large numbers to meet him.
With more than 50 million subscribers on YouTube and over 45 million followers on Instagram, IShowSpeed is among the most influential digital creators of his generation.
His growing global profile was recently recognised by Rolling Stone magazine, which named him the Most Influential Creator of 2025. Forbes has also estimated his net worth at around $20 million.
