Ghanaian broadcaster and television producer Lily Mohammed has taken a sharp swipe at the government over the decision to issue a Ghanaian passport to American streamer and YouTuber IShowSpeed, singling out Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for criticism.
The controversy followed a social media announcement by the minister on Tuesday, January 27, confirming that IShowSpeed had been granted a Ghanaian passport. Ablakwa explained that the decision was reached after discussions that traced the content creator’s roots to Ghana and framed the move as part of the country’s broader embrace of the global African community, especially those who project Ghana positively on the world stage.
But speaking on her programme on GHOne TV, Lily Mohammed rejected that justification and argued that the state was being too casual with something as significant as Ghanaian citizenship.
She acknowledged that IShowSpeed’s visit generated international attention for the country but insisted that publicity alone should not qualify anyone for a Ghanaian passport. In her view, the decision reflected a troubling lack of seriousness by those in authority.
“Listen, let’s get serious as a country. It’s like this country is not serious. Somebody comes to the country — yes, he is a streamer, he is putting Ghana on the global map and whatever — the person comes to the country for a day or two and then you shove the Ghanaian passport into the person’s hands. You guys are not serious. You are not serious, eh?”
Lily said she was particularly disappointed in Ablakwa, noting that his public reputation and past advocacy had created higher expectations.
“Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, you were someone we had high expectations of. You shoved a Ghanaian passport into the hands of someone who came and was embarking on his own personal thing,” she stated.
She went further to question the economic value of the visit, asking what measurable benefit activities like sampling local food or touring landmarks had delivered to the national economy.
“Okay, the coming to jump on our jollof and Black Star Square — what has it done to our GDP? What has it done to our economy?
“We tolerate nonsense and unimportant stuff in this country.You have given him a Ghanaian passport — for what? For what achievement? What has he done for Ghana? That he has come to sit on our jollof?”
To underline her point, Lily drew a comparison with Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, whose travel content has promoted Ghana and Africa across multiple countries for years. Despite that sustained effort, she noted, no foreign government has offered him citizenship or a passport simply for showcasing their culture.
She also highlighted the daily frustrations faced by ordinary Ghanaians trying to acquire passports, describing the long queues, delays and hurdles many citizens endure despite being born and raised in the country.
“Meanwhile, true Ghanaians are queuing for passports. Ghanaian citizens born in Ghana, who have the right to citizenship, are still queuing for passports. Ghanaians are still struggling to access a common passport,” she lamented.
Lily was careful to separate her criticism of the policy from any personal attack on IShowSpeed. She said she had no issue with the YouTuber or his visit and praised his adventurous nature, adding that Ghana remains an appealing destination for visitors from around the world.
Still, she maintained that issuing him a Ghanaian passport was unnecessary and called on the state to treat citizenship with greater respect.
“I don’t have any problem with him or his coming to Ghana. It’s beautiful, and I commend him for his bravery and adventure, but to give him a Ghanaian passport — come on. What has he done? What for? Let’s get serious as a country.
“We are not serious. It’s time we put some respect and value on our Ghanaian passport and on the country,” Lily Mohammed further stated.
