American internet sensation IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) is officially hooked on Ghana — and the feeling appears mutual, even from the highest office in the land.

In a clip that has taken social media by storm, President John Dramani Mahama gave a warm, humorous nod to the streamer’s viral Ghana trip during a recent public address.

Recounting how his own children excitedly showed him footage of Speed at a shea butter museum in the north, the President described the now-iconic moment:

“This young man was lucky. I saw him lying down and about 10 girls all with shea butter were massaging this boy… He opened his mouth as if he couldn’t breathe.”

The audience at the event where Mahama spoke erupted in laughter, but Speed — watching the clip later — couldn’t contain his delight.

“Oh, the president watched my streams, enjoying it,” he exclaimed, before emphatically declaring: “Damn right. I’m coming back.”

The exchange perfectly captures the ongoing love affair between IShowSpeed and Ghana.

Since his high-energy visit in January 2026 — where he toured Accra, tried local food, danced, visited cultural sites, and even received Ghanaian citizenship — the YouTuber has repeatedly expressed affection for the country, its people, and its culture. He has constantly declared his new Ghanaian name, Barima Kofi Akuffo, with pride to his millions of followers.

Fans on X, TikTok, and Instagram have dubbed the shea butter spa scene “the most Ghanaian welcome ever,” with memes, reaction videos, and calls for Speed to return flooding timelines. Many Ghanaians see his genuine enthusiasm as a major tourism win, especially among younger global audiences.

President Mahama’s light-hearted commentary acknowledges the impact of Speed’s visit. It reflects the warmth and hospitality that have made Ghana a growing favourite among diaspora travellers and international content creators alike.

Whether Speed makes good on his promise remains to be seen — but if the President’s massage story is anything to go by, Ghana is ready to roll out the red carpet (and the shea butter) again.

Popular American streamer and content creator IShowSpeed (real name Darren Watkins Jr.) has reacted to being granted Ghanaian citizenship, describing the honor as “a big flex” on social media.

The announcement came on February 13, 2026, when IShowSpeed shared a photo of his newly issued Ghanaian passport on his Instagram and X accounts, captioning it:

“It’s a big flex.”

The passport features his full name, photograph, and Ghanaian national emblem, confirming his status as a citizen of Ghana.

The development follows the YouTuber’s high-profile visit to Ghana in early 2026, during which he toured several regions, interacted with fans, visited cultural sites including the Asenema Waterfall in Okere District, and expressed admiration for Ghanaian hospitality and food. His energetic live streams from Accra, Kumasi, and other locations went viral, drawing millions of views and significantly boosting Ghana’s visibility among younger global audiences.

IShowSpeed’s citizenship aligns with Ghana’s ongoing Historic Diaspora Community programme, which grants citizenship to individuals of African descent who can demonstrate ancestry or strong ties to the country. While it is unclear whether IShowSpeed applied through DNA evidence or other eligibility pathways, his public embrace of Ghanaian culture and repeated visits made him a popular figure during and after his trip.

The passport grant has sparked widespread celebration on Ghanaian social media, with many users hailing it as a major cultural and tourism win. Comments flooded in with phrases such as “Speed is now one of us” and “Ghana just gained a global ambassador.”

IShowSpeed, known for his high-energy gaming, IRL streams, and massive following (over 30 million subscribers on YouTube), first visited Ghana in January 2026 as part of a broader African tour. His enthusiastic content helped spotlight lesser-known destinations and reinforced the success of initiatives like “Beyond the Return.”

Long before TikTok trends and streaming record deals, Goapele quietly made history — becoming the first Black woman to have a music video uploaded to YouTube.

According to Africa Diaspora International, the milestone came with her deeply soulful track “Closer,” which not only introduced her voice to early internet audiences but also helped shape how independent artists could use digital platforms to reach the world.

From Oakland to Online Breakthrough

Goapele Mohlabane — known to millions simply as Goapele — was born on July 11, 1977, in Oakland, California. Music and activism were part of her DNA: her father, Douglas Mohlabane, was a South African anti‑apartheid activist and political exile, and her mother, Noa, is a German‑Jewish native of New York. Her given name, which means “to move forward” in Setswana, would become emblematic of her artistic journey.

Early in her career Goapele immersed herself in soulful, genre‑blending music that drew from neo‑soul, R&B and jazz — a sound that felt both timeless and fresh. Her debut album Closer (2001) captured listeners with its heartfelt lyrics and raw emotional depth.

When the “Closer” music video was uploaded to YouTube, it marked a new era: it was the first time a Black female artist’s music video appeared on the then‑new platform, long before YouTube would become an essential launchpad for global musical stars.

A Pioneer Before Platforms Were Powerful

YouTube launched in 2005, back when music videos were still largely controlled by labels and TV outlets. Goapele’s early presence on the platform positioned her as a pioneer among artists using the internet to build audiences on their own terms.

Today, YouTube is a cornerstone of music discovery — especially for artists outside traditional industry channels — but Goapele’s footprint predates that explosion. Her video’s upload wasn’t just a first; it was an early signal of how digital platforms would redefine what’s possible for Black artists and independent musicians.

Art, Identity and Impact

Goapele’s influence extends well beyond a historical first. Across her discography — including albums like Even Closer (2002), Change It All (2005), Break of Dawn (2011), and Dreamseeker (2018) — she has explored love, self‑discovery and cultural identity with nuance, emotional honesty and a voice that resonates across generations.

She has also used her platform to champion social causes and community empowerment — a commitment that echoes her family’s legacy of activism and underscores the connection between art and impact.

A Legacy That Continues to Inspire

For fans and fellow artists, Goapele’s YouTube milestone is more than trivia — it’s a reminder that some of the most important breakthroughs happen outside the spotlight and before the mainstream is ready for them.

In an age where every new artist dreams of viral moments and algorithm‑driven hits, Goapele’s story is a reminder that innovation and authenticity can leave a legacy that lasts long after a single video plays.