GHOne television host Lily Mohammed has walked back her sharp criticism of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, issuing an apology after her on-air remarks about the decision to grant American streamer IShowSpeed a Ghanaian passport sparked widespread debate.
The controversy followed an announcement by Ablakwa on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, confirming that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the popular YouTuber after establishing what he described as clear ancestral links to the country.
“Following our discussions and subsequent confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, I am pleased to inform you and our compatriots that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian Passport to IShowSpeed.”
A day later, the decision became the focus of a heated segment on GHOne TV, where Lily Mohammed questioned the judgment behind the move and accused state authorities of acting carelessly. Speaking during the Wednesday, January 28 broadcast, she argued that the process appeared rushed and undermined the seriousness of Ghanaian citizenship.
“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?”
Her disappointment, she explained, was heightened by her expectations of the minister himself, given his public image and past advocacy.
“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.
Lily also questioned whether the visit translated into tangible economic gains, arguing that visibility alone was not enough justification for citizenship-related privileges.
“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 reinforce her argument, she contrasted IShowSpeed’s brief stay with the long-term work of Ghanaian travel YouTuber Wode Maya, noting that despite years of promoting countries and cultures globally, he has never been rewarded with citizenship elsewhere.
She further pointed to the difficulties many Ghanaians face in securing passports, describing the queues, delays and bureaucratic obstacles endured by citizens who are Ghanaian by birth.
“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.
Despite the strong language, Lily stressed that her comments were not aimed at IShowSpeed personally. She praised his adventurous spirit and said she welcomed visitors who showcase Ghana to the world, but insisted that citizenship should be treated with greater care.
“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.
The video of her remarks quickly circulated online, drawing mixed reactions from the public. While some criticized her tone, others echoed her concerns about the process and symbolism of the decision.
Amid the backlash, Lily later issued an apology to Mr Ablakwa, acknowledging that some of her comments went too far and expressing regret over how they were delivered.
