Africa-Press. Ghana announced that it has granted citizenship to American YouTuber and content creator Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known as “IShowSpeed,” following his recent visit to the country as part of his “Speed Does Africa” tour.
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that the country approved issuing a Ghanaian passport to the 21-year-old creator, describing him as a “respectable ambassador” who presented the country positively to a broad global audience.
The minister said the decision came after the “confirmation of the undeniable ties between IShowSpeed and Ghana,” noting that his mother is originally from there—something he confirmed during a live broadcast when he described being in Ghana as feeling like returning home.
During his visit, IShowSpeed took part in multiple cultural activities. Traditional leaders welcomed him in the town of Akropong in the Akuapem area and gave him a traditional name, “Berrima Kofi Akufo,” during an official naming ceremony.
Videos circulated online showing him wearing traditional attire while elders performed symbolic rituals. He also visited several prominent sites and cultural landmarks in the country, sharing his firsthand experience with millions of followers across his digital platforms.
A wide African tour
The Ghana visit is part of the “Speed Does Africa” tour, which included several countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. The tour drew large crowds, with thousands of young people gathering to meet him at different stops.
“IShowSpeed” is regarded as one of the most prominent digital influencers of his generation, with more than 50 million YouTube subscribers and 45 million Instagram followers. Rolling Stone recently named him the “most influential content creator of 2025,” while Forbes estimated his net worth at around $20 million.
