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.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a leading contender in the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primaries, has called on party delegates to place their trust in his leadership and vote for him in the upcoming internal elections.

Addressing delegates and supporters in the Asawase Constituency during his campaign tour of the Ashanti Region, Dr Bawumia stressed that the choice delegates make will have long-term implications for both the NPP and the nation. He urged the party to elect a candidate with proven experience in governance and economic management as it seeks to return to power.

The NPP is scheduled to hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026.

According to Dr Bawumia, the party must present a candidate with a clear record of performance in critical sectors of national development to stand a strong chance in future national elections. He outlined a number of reforms aimed at reorganising and strengthening the party if elected flagbearer.

Among his proposals is the introduction of a Database Welfare System to consolidate and provide easy access to information on party members. He also pledged that 3,000 out of the 7,000 governance appointments under an NPP government would be allocated to constituencies, a move he said would promote equity and inclusiveness.

Dr Bawumia further proposed a Constituency-Based Budget System to ensure that challenges unique to each constituency are properly documented and addressed in a timely manner.

Referencing reports from internal party committees, he attributed the NPP’s recent electoral defeat to what he described as a “one-man-chop syndrome,” and assured delegates that such practices would not recur under his leadership. He appealed for unity within the party and asked delegates to entrust him with the mandate to lead the NPP forward.

During the visit, Dr Bawumia also brokered reconciliation among Manaf Ibrahim, Alidu Seidu and Ali Suraj, who had previously been at odds.

He was accompanied on the tour by several party stalwarts, including former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Kofi Jumah, Collins Ntim, Simon Osei Mensah, Ben Abdullah Banda, Saalim Bamba, Dr Ayew Afriyie, Kennedy Kankam and Alhaji Mohammed Moro.

President John Dramani Mahama has established a 12-member Presidential Advisory Group to spearhead Ghana’s economic reset agenda and restore macroeconomic stability.

The Advisory Group, which is chaired by President Mahama himself, is expected to provide strategic guidance on economic recovery measures, fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and sustainable growth policies as the country navigates current economic challenges.

According to a statement from the Presidency, the formation of the Advisory Group underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging expert knowledge and experience to address pressing economic concerns, including inflation, debt sustainability, job creation, and private sector growth.

The group will work closely with key economic institutions and stakeholders to assess existing policies, propose pragmatic solutions, and support the implementation of reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and rebuilding public confidence.

The establishment of the Advisory Group forms part of President Mahama’s broader vision to reset the economy through inclusive governance, evidence-based policymaking, and strategic leadership. Further details regarding the composition and specific mandate of the Advisory Group are expected to be announced in the coming days.