Broadcast journalist Lilly Mohammed has descended on Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over the decision to issue a Ghanaian passport to American streamer IShowSpeed.

Speaking on GH Today, GHOne TV’s morning show, the host expressed strong dissatisfaction with the minister’s action, questioning the justification for granting Ghanaian citizenship to the internet personality after a brief visit to the country.

“Let’s get serious as a country. It’s like we’re not serious at all. Somebody comes to Ghana, he’s a streamer, he’s putting Ghana on the global map, he’s doing whatever. He comes for a day or two, and then you shove a Ghanaian passport into his hands. You’re not serious,” she said.

Lilly Mohammed stated that she could not see the importance of IShowSpeed’s visit that warranted the issuance of a Ghanaian passport.

“You’re not serious. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, you were somebody we had high expectations of. You shoved a Ghanaian passport into the hands of somebody who came here streaming and embarking on his own personal thing. Coming to step on our jollof, jumping on the Black Stars Square, what has that done to our GDP? What has it added to our economy?” she questioned.

The media personality further compared the situation to Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, who has consistently promoted Africa on the global stage, asking whether any country had rewarded him with citizenship for his efforts.

“Wode Maya has been putting Ghana on the map globally. Have you seen America give him an American passport? Even Nigeria, has Nigeria given him a Nigerian passport? You entertain stupidity so much. You’ve given him a Ghanaian passport for what achievement? What has he done for Ghana?” she asked.

She also criticised the public reaction surrounding the visit, particularly an incident where some Ghanaians reportedly ate jollof rice that IShowSpeed had stepped on during his visit.

“You give him a Ghanaian passport because he sat on our jollof, and the moment he steps away, Ghanaians rush to eat it. You are not serious. With the greatest respect, let’s put some value on our passport. Let’s put value on this country,” she stressed.

Lilly Mohammed further lamented the difficulties faced by Ghanaian citizens in acquiring passports, contrasting it with the ease with which the streamer was allegedly granted one.

“Meanwhile, Ghanaians are queuing for passports. Ghanaian citizens born in this country, who by the Constitution are entitled to citizenship, are struggling. You say you have opened the passport system to eliminate goro boys, yet people are still finding it difficult to get a basic passport,” she said.

While clarifying that she had no personal issue with the streamer, she maintained that the decision to issue him a Ghanaian passport was unjustified.

“I have no problem with him. I didn’t even know him until he came to Ghana. It’s a beautiful thing what he’s doing, and it’s risky. For a young man, he’s very bold and deserves a pat on the back. However, to give him a Ghanaian passport, what has he done to deserve it? Let’s get serious in this country, for real,” she concluded.

Background

On Tuesday, January 27, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the Ministry had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to popular American streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed. According to the minister, the decision followed confirmation of what he described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to Ghana.

IShowSpeed, an American streamer currently on an African tour highlighting the continent’s culture and lifestyle, arrived in Ghana on Sunday. He was officially welcomed on Monday, January 26, with a traditional Akan naming ceremony held in the Eastern Region.

Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has described culture as the country’s most powerful asset in driving tourism and investment, stressing that Ghana’s appeal to the world goes far beyond forts and castles.

She made this assertion during a community dialogue held in the United States, which focused on Ghana’s future, diaspora engagement, and opportunities linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the Minister, Ghana’s tourism strategy is increasingly centered on culture, creativity, and experience driven offerings that reflect both tradition and modern expression.

Hon. Gomashie noted that the government is creating an enabling environment for investors who share this vision. She highlighted the availability of government ready, litigation free land, as well as established channels through the US–Ghana Chamber of Commerce, as part of efforts to attract credible investment into the tourism and creative sectors.

The Minister emphasized that promoting tourism in Ghana is inseparable from promoting culture. She explained that the country’s identity is shaped by a rich blend of traditional heritage and contemporary expressions, ranging from historic dances and customs to modern creative trends embraced by younger generations. This blend, she said, is key to building a vibrant and inclusive national brand that resonates globally.

Hon. Gomashie also expressed appreciation to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama for the restructuring of the Ministry, describing it as a timely move that strengthens the alignment between tourism, culture, and the creative arts.

She concluded that Ghana’s cultural wealth remains its strongest currency on the global stage, offering meaningful experiences that connect history, creativity, and community while positioning the country as a leading destination for cultural tourism.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has officially kicked off its 2026 engagement calendar with a high-level stakeholders’ meeting, bringing together key players across Ghana’s tourism value chain to set the tone for the year ahead.

The engagement, the first of its kind for the year, was attended by representatives from across the tourism industry, including hospitality operators, tour operators, event promoters, cultural and heritage stakeholders, and allied service providers. Also present were all three Deputy Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Tourism Authority, alongside Directors and senior management from the GTA Head Office.

In her address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, underscored the Authority’s commitment to deeper, more structured stakeholder engagement in 2026, stressing that collaboration remains critical to sustaining the gains made in recent years.

“This year, our engagement with industry stakeholders will be more deliberate, more consistent, and more results-driven,” Maame Efua Houadjeto stated.

“Tourism cannot grow in silos. Our focus is to work closely with stakeholders, listen more, align better, and build a sector that is professional, competitive, and globally respected.”

She further highlighted that 2026 will place strong emphasis on capacity building and training across the tourism industry, aimed at improving service delivery, operational standards, and overall visitor experience nationwide.

“Training is no longer optional. To protect Ghana’s tourism brand and remain competitive, we must continuously upgrade skills, improve service delivery, and professionalise every layer of the sector,” she noted.

“The Ghana Tourism Authority will prioritise targeted training programmes to support industry players and raise standards across the board.”

Reflecting on recent successes, the CEO referenced the impact of December in GH, describing it as clear evidence of what is possible when public and private sector stakeholders work together with shared purpose. She stressed, however, that the focus for 2026 is consolidation—moving decisively from momentum to sustainability.

The engagement also outlined key priority areas for the year, including strengthening December in GH as a structured tourism economy, deepening heritage and cultural tourism, expanding domestic tourism initiatives, enforcing standards and compliance, and driving innovation through strategic partnerships.

Participants welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Authority to grow the sector, create jobs, and enhance Ghana’s position as a preferred tourism destination.

The Ghana Tourism Authority reiterated its resolve to maintain open and consistent engagement with stakeholders throughout the year, as it works to build a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing tourism industry for Ghana.

#GhTourismReset

#BlackStarExpetience