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“We Entertain Stupidity in This Country” — GHOne’s Lilly Mohammed Slams Foreign Affairs Minister Ablakwa Over IShowSpeed Passport Saga

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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.

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Culture

MR. Richard Commey Fio is no longer the Ag. Deputy DIrector of National Commision On Culture – Update Website

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The digital department of the National Commission  on Culture must be up to date and work effectively in discharging their duties. 

In this era of digital age, and especially a government agency like National Commission On Culture, they should be updating their website to meet the current situation. 

A thorough check on the website by Kpdonline.net reveals that Mr Fio Richardson Commey (PhD) is still posted as the Ag Deputy Executive Director of the Commission. This means his personal data (picture, name, and designation) is still on the website of the Commission and not deleted. Mr Fio Richardson Commey is no longer a staff and the Ag.Deputy Executive Director of NCC. He is currently serving as the Special Aide/ Special Assistant to Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.  

 

Kpdonline.net can  confirm that a letter dated on the 30th of July 2025 was written to the Acting Executive Director, Mr Wakefield Wisdom Ackuaku, requested immediate deletion of his personal data on the NCC website. This has fallen into deaf ears. 

 

The agency led by Mr Wakefield Ackuako should up their game by being proactive in discharging their duties. Kpdonline.net is still playing its watch dog role and will monitor to see the changes done. 

 

Report by kpdonline.net.

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Culture

Vice President Launches Revised National Cultural Policy to Drive Heritage Preservation and Creative Economy Growth

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The Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has officially launched Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy, describing it as a transformative framework aimed at preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage while promoting economic growth through the cultural and creative industries.

The launch ceremony took place at the National Theatre in Accra on June 8, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from the arts, culture and creative sectors.

The revised policy serves as a strategic roadmap for safeguarding Ghana’s cultural identity and harnessing the potential of the cultural and creative industries to create jobs, stimulate innovation and drive social transformation.

The new policy replaces the previous Cultural Policy, which was introduced in 2004. It has been aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, positioning culture as a central pillar of Ghana’s national development agenda.

Addressing participants at the launch, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called on stakeholders across the cultural and creative sectors to collaborate in ensuring the successful implementation of the policy.

“Let this launch mark the beginning of a bold new chapter in Ghana’s cultural journey. Let us come together—government, traditional authorities, the youth and the diaspora—to unlock the full potential of culture and creativity. We must build a nation that draws strength from its heritage, creates opportunities through innovation, and projects its voice with confidence and influence on the global stage,” she stated.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, noted that the revised policy is the outcome of seven years of extensive stakeholder consultations. According to her, the framework is designed to support creative entrepreneurs, attract cultural investments and ensure the integration of culture into national development planning.

Work on the revised National Cultural Policy began seven years ago, involving broad consultations with stakeholders across the country.

The policy covers key thematic areas including culture and heritage, culture and society, culture and governance, culture and the economy, culture and technology, as well as oversight, implementation and regulatory mechanisms.

The launch reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to leveraging culture as a catalyst for sustainable development, heritage preservation, economic empowerment and enhanced engagement with the global cultural community.

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Culture

Christian Council Backs Mahama’s Decision to Review Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

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The Christian Council of Ghana has expressed support for President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to subject the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, to further constitutional and legal review before taking a final decision on it.

President Mahama, during a recent visit to the United Kingdom, indicated that the proposed legislation would undergo additional scrutiny to ensure it complies with all constitutional requirements before any action is taken regarding assent.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News, the Christian Council’s Coordinator for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Rev. Jehodia Godwin Amuzu, described the President’s approach as prudent and in line with his constitutional mandate.

According to Rev. Amuzu, the President has a responsibility to seek legal guidance and ensure the bill can withstand any potential constitutional challenge.

“The President, as Head of State, must allow his advisers to thoroughly examine the bill to ensure it satisfies all constitutional requirements. Otherwise, the legislation could be challenged in court and struck down,” he stated.

He urged Ghanaians to remain patient and allow due process to take its course.

“We must appreciate that this is how democracy works. Decisions of this nature cannot be made arbitrarily. We should give the President the benefit of the doubt and allow the constitutional processes to be completed,” he added.

Rev. Amuzu further disclosed that during previous engagements with religious leaders, President Mahama had indicated his willingness to assent to the bill once it is presented to him.

“He assured us that when the bill reaches his desk, he will assent to it. However, from the indications we are receiving, the scrutiny is necessary because the bill is not government-sponsored. The aim is to ensure it is legally sound and fit for purpose,” he explained.

The Christian Council official also welcomed recent calls by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for lawmakers to revisit the bill, describing the ongoing public discourse as a positive feature of democratic governance.

“I believe this is healthy for our democracy. We are not operating under an authoritarian system. Democracy thrives on participation, dialogue and accountability. Citizens have every right to take an interest in matters before Parliament and government, while ensuring that the necessary checks and balances are maintained,” he said.

His comments come amid renewed public debate over the future of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and the respective roles of Parliament and the Executive in determining its eventual outcome.

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