Ghana Grants Citizenship to American Streamer IShowSpeed Following African Tour
Published on January 28, 2026 at 3:49 PM by Evance Kapito
The Government of Ghana has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to popular American content creator Darren Watkins Jr., widely known as IShowSpeed.
The decision follows the YouTuber’s high-profile, 28-day tour across 20 African nations, an initiative aimed at connecting with his heritage and promoting the continent to his global audience. During the tour, the streamer who boasts over 50 million subscribers revealed that his mother is of Ghanaian descent.
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs described the 21-year-old as a “worthy ambassador” for the country, citing his significant cultural impact and his public commitment to his West African roots.
The move is seen as part of Ghana’s broader “Beyond the Return” initiative, which encourages members of the African diaspora to formalize their ties with the nation. IShowSpeed’s tour has been credited with showcasing African tourism and culture to millions of young viewers worldwide.
