Renowned Ghanaian YouTuber and travel content creator Wode Maya has publicly responded to the intense conversation surrounding the decision to issue a Ghanaian passport to American streamer IShowSpeed. With reactions on social media ranging from praise to criticism, Wode Maya chose to focus on appreciation and the broader positive impact of the move.
The controversy grew after the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced that Darren Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, would receive a Ghanaian passport following his “Speed Does Africa” tour. The announcement quickly divided public opinion, with some welcoming it as a smart move for tourism promotion while others questioned the decision.
Reacting to the backlash, Wode Maya took to social media to express his gratitude and clarify his role in the process. In his words, he wrote:
“Thank you, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, for granting my request to honour our Ghanaian brother with a Ghanaian passport. Hey IShowSpeed, welcome home anytime without a visa!”
The statement made it clear that the initiative came from Wode Maya himself and was intended as a gesture of appreciation rather than a political statement.
Speaking further on the issue, Wode Maya explained that he personally approached the Foreign Affairs Minister about the idea. According to him, the decision was not forced or pre-planned. He said:
“I’ve seen all the noise that is happening after the passport … I spoke to the minister; he had no idea. I just spoke to the minister: ‘Honorable, please, I mean this would be good for you to honour him.’”
He added that the original plan was for the passport presentation to happen during one of IShowSpeed’s live streams, which often attract tens of millions of viewers worldwide, but timing and logistics did not allow that to happen as expected.
Wode Maya also addressed criticism from those who questioned why such an honour was given to a foreign content creator. He urged Ghanaians to look beyond politics and focus on the exposure Ghana gained from the visit. He stated:
“In this country, everybody tries to politicise everything … Imagine 50 million people following one person. I mean, I have two million subscribers, and I even have a diplomatic passport. Imagine someone with 50 million… that’s a big deal.”
According to him, IShowSpeed’s massive global following presents an opportunity for Ghana to reach audiences that traditional tourism campaigns may not easily access.
Beyond the passport issue, Wode Maya also reflected on IShowSpeed’s time in Ghana. He admitted that the visit came with challenges, including crowd control problems and leaked schedules that affected security and forced changes to planned activities. Despite these setbacks, he said the streamer remained enthusiastic and respectful throughout the trip.
He mentioned that one of the most meaningful moments of the tour for him was the visit to Akropong, which he described as a proud moment because it showcased Ghana’s culture, heritage, and people to the world. He also explained that time limits and live-streaming demands made it difficult to visit every location some fans expected.
Overall, Wode Maya maintained that the decision to honour IShowSpeed was driven by goodwill and a desire to promote Ghana positively on the global stage. He encouraged the public to focus on the long-term benefits of cultural exchange and global visibility rather than turning the issue into a source of division.