Ghana Grants Citizenship to American YouTuber IShowSpeed
The Ghanaian government has granted citizenship to American YouTuber Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, following a month-long tour across Africa. The 21-year-old influencer was issued a Ghanaian passport after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his “irrefutable ties” to the country.
According to Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, the decision aligns with the country’s Beyond the Return initiative, which aims to strengthen connections with the African diaspora and encourage people of African descent to formalize their ties with Ghana. The minister commended IShowSpeed for promoting Ghana and Africa positively to a global audience, describing him as a fitting ambassador for the continent.
IShowSpeed’s Africa Tour, which spanned 20 countries and ended recently, was livestreamed to his over 50 million YouTube subscribers. The tour showcased the continent’s culture, tourism, technology, and everyday experiences, contributing to efforts to counter stereotypes and reshape international perceptions of Africa. The minister noted that IShowSpeed’s cultural interactions and public content demonstrated his deepening relationship with Ghana and the African continent.
The granting of citizenship to IShowSpeed is seen as a significant move to foster stronger ties between Ghana and the African diaspora. The Beyond the Return initiative, launched in 2019, aims to encourage people of African descent to explore their heritage and contribute to the development of the continent. By granting citizenship to IShowSpeed, Ghana is recognizing the influencer’s efforts to promote African culture and tourism to a global audience.
The development is expected to have a positive impact on Ghana’s tourism industry and its efforts to promote cultural exchange with the African diaspora. As a Ghanaian citizen, IShowSpeed is likely to continue promoting the country and the continent to his massive following, helping to shape international perceptions of Africa and its people. With his new citizenship, IShowSpeed is set to play an even more significant role in bridging the gap between Ghana and the global community.
