Wode Maya defends IShowSpeed's passport move
2nd February 2026
Ghanaian YouTuber and travel vlogger Wode Maya has finally broken his silence following the intense public backlash surrounding the government’s decision to grant American streamer IShowSpeed a Ghanaian passport, choosing to respond with appreciation rather than engaging directly in the controversy.
The debate erupted after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the Ministry had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the visiting internet sensation, a move that quickly split public opinion across the social media space.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jnr, arrived in Ghana on January 27, 2026, as part of his widely followed continental journey dubbed the “Speed Does Africa” tour.
The livestreamed tour, which began on December 29, 2025, has taken the 21-year-old streamer through several African countries including Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Benin, Angola, Zambia, Eswatini and Senegal, before his highly publicised stop in Ghana.
His visit generated massive online engagement, drawing global attention to Ghana’s tourism, culture, and entertainment scene.
Crowds followed his movements across Accra, and his livestreams became one of the most talked-about digital moments in the country that week.
Following the visit, Foreign Affairs Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that the decision to honour IShowSpeed with a Ghanaian passport stemmed from discussions with Wode Maya, who was involved in facilitating parts of the streamer’s Ghana experience.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on January 27, the minister wrote:
“@wode_maya following our discussions and subsequent confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, I am pleased to inform you and our compatriots that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to IShowSpeed.”
The announcement immediately triggered mixed reactions nationwide. While some Ghanaians welcomed the move as a strategic cultural gesture aimed at strengthening the global visibility and soft power, others criticised it as rushed and inappropriate, questioning whether such national honours should be extended so quickly to a foreign celebrity.
As the online debate intensified, many expected Wode Maya to offer further justification or respond to the criticism. However, when he finally addressed the issue on January 29, the YouTuber avoided the backlash entirely and instead focused on expressing gratitude to the Foreign Affairs Minister for approving what he described as his request.
Wode Maya wrote:
“Thank you, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, for granting my request to honour our Ghanaian brother with a Ghanaian passport. Hey IShowSpeed, welcome home anytime without a visa!”
By framing the decision as an act of cultural inclusion rather than political controversy, Wode Maya signalled that he views the passport gesture as a positive step toward building stronger global connections for Ghana through influential creators and digital ambassadors.
His response has added another layer to the ongoing national conversation, as Ghanaians continue to debate the meaning, process, and implications of granting citizenship-related recognition in an era where internet personalities can generate international attention faster than traditional diplomacy.