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Ghana Divided Over Government’s Decision to Issue Passport to American Streamer IShowSpeed After Viral Visit

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The Ghanaian government’s swift decision to issue a Ghanaian passport to popular American YouTube and Twitch streamer IShowSpeed (real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr.) has ignited a heated national debate.

The controversy erupted after Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on January 27, 2026—following IShowSpeed’s brief but high-profile visit to Accra on January 26 as part of his 28-day, 20-country “Speed Does Africa” tour—that the Ministry had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport.

The decision was based on “discussions and confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana,” with the minister praising the 21-year-old influencer as a “worthy ambassador” for positively showcasing Ghana and Africa to his tens of millions of global followers.

Ablakwa encouraged IShowSpeed to continue promoting the country and continent, stating:

“Keep making our great nation Ghana and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you.”

Image by GBC

Supporters hailed the move as innovative soft power strategy, arguing it leverages the streamer’s massive reach to boost tourism, cultural visibility, and economic branding. Comments on social media praised it as forward-thinking diplomacy:

“This is how soft power is done… Africa is branding itself,” and “Extremely Brilliant. Before the Nigerians claim him.”

However, the announcement sparked significant backlash, with critics accusing the government of devaluing the Ghanaian passport, favoritism toward celebrities, and inconsistent application of citizenship rules.

GHOne TV journalist and GH Today host Lily Mohammed delivered a scathing on-air critique, questioning the merit of granting citizenship after such a short visit:

“Wonyɛ serious? (you have not approached this seriously) … The person comes to Ghana for a day or two, and then you shove the Ghanaian passport into the person’s hands… What has he done for Ghana that he’s come to sit on our jollof?… Let’s put some value on our passports… Meanwhile, Ghanaians are queuing for passports.”

Mohammed contrasted the decision with Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, who has long promoted the continent globally but received only a diplomatic passport after extensive discussions.

She added: “Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, you were somebody that we had high expectations of… For what achievement?”

Social media users echoed frustrations, highlighting bureaucratic struggles for ordinary citizens and residents:

“So those of us who live and work here… still contributing our quota have to struggle… but a social media influencer breezes in and boom!” and “The Ghanaian passport is that cheap. All u need to do is be a celebrity and say u have ties to Ghana.”

The passport issuance remains subject to further legal processes at the Ministry of the Interior under the amended Fees Act, 2025, including potential naturalization or dual nationality procedures. While some reports present the matter as granting citizenship or nationality, official statements focused on passport approval tied to demonstrated ties.

Amid the uproar, Lily Mohammed later issued a public apology, conceding that some comments were “overboard” and clarifying her critique targeted policy rather than the individual.

@hankgoodgaming

FAMOUS STREAMER ISHOWSPEED became the World Record most live tracked flight on Flightradar of all time! #aviation #planespotting #flightradar24 #avgeek #jet #fyp

♬ original sound – HankGoodGaming

The episode reflects broader tensions in Ghana about balancing global cultural promotion with equitable treatment of citizens and the symbolic weight of national documents.

IShowSpeed’s Ghana leg included massive fan turnouts, cultural experiences, and live streams that trended worldwide—his Accra flight even became the most tracked on Flightradar24—contributing to his emotional tour finale where he declared 100% African ancestry and announced donation plans.

Yet the passport decision seems to have shifted focus from celebration to scrutiny of governmental priorities.

Ghana News

Ghana Star Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Two Additional Rape Charges in UK Court

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London, United Kingdom – Ghanaian international footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two additional rape charges, bringing the total number of rape allegations against him to seven.

The 32-year-old Villarreal midfielder appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, where he denied the new charges relating to a fourth woman in December 2020.

Partey had previously pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman, with the alleged offences occurring between 2021 and 2022 while he was playing for Arsenal in the English Premier League.

Partey was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for €50 million ($58.49 million) in 2020 and became a key member of the first team before leaving the club last summer when his contract expired.

He subsequently joined Spanish La Liga side Villarreal.

The midfielder was released on bail following Monday’s hearing. His trial, originally scheduled to begin in November, could now face further delays due to the additional charges.

The case continues to draw significant attention given Partey’s stature as a prominent player for both Arsenal and the Ghana national team, the Black Stars.

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Armed Robbers Killed in Tema, New Black Stars Coach Speaks, CSOs Propose Fuel Relief and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

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We have curated the most relevant stories from Ghana to keep you informed. Today’s trending stories cover security incidents, economic proposals, human rights debates, fiscal updates, and more.

Tema Police Gun Down Two Armed Robbers After Brazen Daytime Mobile Money Heist
Tema police have shot and killed two armed robbers who carried out a daring daytime robbery at a Mobile Money outlet in Community 5, Tema. The suspects, riding a motorbike, attacked the vendor around 8:30 a.m., shooting her in the leg and fleeing with GH¢11,390. A police patrol team intercepted them near the Tema General Hospital area, leading to a chase and shootout. The robbers were rushed to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. Items recovered included the stolen cash, a loaded pistol, phones, SIM cards, and the victim’s Ghana Card. The female vendor is in stable condition.
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CSOs Propose GH¢1.65 Fuel Price Relief and Long-Term Petroleum Sector Reforms
A coalition of civil society organisations, including IMANI Africa and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, has proposed an immediate GH¢1.65 reduction in the petroleum price build-up to ease the burden on Ghanaians amid rising fuel costs. The groups suggested the relief should last for two months instead of the government’s proposed four weeks, followed by a review based on global market conditions. They also called for broader structural reforms, including removal of burdensome taxes and levies, establishment of a Strategic Reserve Fund, and investment in the Tema Oil Refinery to enhance local refining capacity.
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Group Challenges Mahama, Says Backing LGBTQ Bill Undermines Human Rights
The group JustRight Ghana has strongly challenged President John Dramani Mahama over his stated commitment to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill if passed by Parliament. The organisation described the bill as “modern-day slavery” and argued that supporting it would legitimise the arrest and torture of LGBTQ+ persons, thereby undermining Ghana’s moral authority on human rights issues globally. They cited constitutional provisions on human dignity and privacy, as well as Ghana’s international treaty obligations, and vowed to pursue legal action if the bill is passed.
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Ato Forson Says Ghana on Track for Debt Sustainability as Focus Shifts to Growth
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has stated that Ghana is making steady progress toward debt sustainability, describing it as a major milestone in the country’s economic recovery. Following discussions with the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa, he noted that the focus is now shifting from stabilisation to growth-oriented investments in commercial agriculture, energy, education, and infrastructure. The minister stressed continued fiscal discipline while safeguarding vulnerable groups.
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Does He Think He’s Still in the Entertainment Industry? – UCC Lecturer Fires A Plus
A senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, has sharply criticised Gomoa Central MP Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) for what he described as “irresponsible” and “wild allegations” regarding government officials acquiring state lands. The lecturer questioned whether A Plus still sees himself as a lawmaker or remains in the entertainment business, urging him to use formal parliamentary channels or whistleblower mechanisms instead of threatening to release documents out of anger.
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Newly Appointed Black Stars Coach Speaks
Newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has vowed to meet the expectations of Ghanaians, promising commitment, discipline, and unity as he takes charge of the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese tactician, who has managed at World Cups with Portugal and Iran, described the role as a great honour and expressed confidence in building a competitive squad capable of making Ghana proud.
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Ten Killed in Deadly Crash on Accra-Kumasi Highway
Ten people have been killed in a tragic road accident on the Accra-Kumasi highway. The crash occurred when a vehicle lost control and collided with another, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Emergency services responded promptly, but the incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on one of Ghana’s busiest highways.
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Strong Exports Lift Ghana’s Q4 2025 Trade Surplus to GH¢47.2bn
Ghana recorded a strong trade surplus of GH¢47.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by robust export performance, particularly in key commodities. The positive trade balance reflects improving external sector conditions and stronger global demand for Ghanaian goods. Economists say sustained export growth will be critical for maintaining macroeconomic stability.
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Ghana News

Newspaper Headlines Today: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

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Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.

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