The decision to grant American social media influencer IShowSpeed a Ghanaian passport has been framed as a calculated soft-power strategy rather than a symbolic gesture, according to Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Abeiku Santana Aggrey.
Appearing on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, January 30, Abeiku Santana explained that Ghana’s move aligns with modern cultural diplomacy, where influence and visibility are leveraged to advance tourism and economic interests. He argued that in an era dominated by digital reach, global personalities now serve as powerful gateways to international audiences.
Abeiku Santana pointed to IShowSpeed’s massive worldwide following, stressing that the exposure Ghana receives through the influencer far outweighs the cost of traditional marketing campaigns. He noted that securing someone of IShowSpeed’s stature for tourism promotion would require millions of dollars, a figure Ghana cannot realistically spend. Granting him a passport, however, ensures sustained and unrestricted engagement with the country.
He dismissed public concerns over the move, describing them as misplaced, and reminded critics that Ghana has long maintained citizenship and heritage programmes for members of the diaspora who demonstrate strong cultural ties and commitment to the nation. According to him, such initiatives are neither new nor unusual and fall within established government frameworks.
To reinforce his point, Abeiku Santana referenced international precedents, citing how YouTuber Wode Maya was granted a Burkinabè passport without controversy. He questioned why a similar gesture by Ghana had triggered backlash, despite its potential benefits.
Beyond tourism promotion, Abeiku Santana revealed that the engagement with IShowSpeed has already sparked economic interest. He disclosed that the influencer has expressed intentions to invest in Ghana, including plans to purchase property, a development he described as a direct outcome of the country’s welcoming approach.
“This is not just leisure tourism; it’s also about investment buh long-term economic value,” he explained, adding that such relationships can attract further foreign interest.
As part of strengthening cultural ties, IShowSpeed has been given a Ghanaian name, Barima Kofi Akuffo, symbolizing his integration into Ghanaian heritage. Abeiku Santana emphasized that among the many countries the influencer has visited, Ghana stands out as the only nation to have formally embraced him.
He concluded that the move was intentionally designed to keep Ghana in global conversations for positive reasons, using influence as a tool to drive tourism traffic, cultural relevance, and investment opportunities.
