The 21-year-old content creator, who has amassed about 50 million subscribers on YouTube, reportedly demonstrated what the Ghanaian government described as “irrefutable ties” to the country during his month-long visit to the continent.
In a statement addressed to Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, Ablakwa confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the influencer.
“@wode_maya 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,” the statement read.
Ablakwa added: “Ghana celebrates you both — you remain our worthy ambassadors, and we are ever so delighted to have granted you a diplomatic passport last year. For God, Country & Continent.”
IShowSpeed’s African tour began on December 29 and included visits to around 20 countries. Through his videos, he showcased Africa’s culture, tourism, and expanding technology sector, while challenging long-standing stereotypes and offering a fresh narrative about the continent to a global audience.
Observers have linked the decision to Ghana’s “Beyond the Return” initiative, a policy designed to strengthen ties with Africans in the diaspora and encourage them to formalize their connections with the country.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions in Ghana. Some citizens have praised the move as a strategic boost to the nation’s global visibility and soft power. Others, however, have questioned the long-term value and rationale of granting citizenship to foreign celebrities.