Ghanaian media personality and GH One TV presenter, Lily Mohammed, has sharply criticised the government following reports that popular American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed was to be granted a Ghanaian passport during his recent visit to the country.
In a viral video circulating widely on social media, the outspoken broadcaster questioned the seriousness of the state, describing the alleged move as disappointing and reckless.
“Let’s get serious as a country. It’s like this country we are not serious. Somebody comes to Ghana for a day or two and you’ve shown the passport into the person’s hands,” she stated.
Lily Mohammed did not hold back as she directed her frustration at the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noting that she had high expectations of his leadership.
“Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, you are somebody we had high expectations of. You’ve shown the Ghanaian passport into the hands of somebody who is streaming and embarking on his own personal thing — coming to dance on our jollof and jump on our Black Star Square,” she said.
She questioned the economic value of the YouTuber’s visit, asking what tangible benefits it had brought to the country.
“What has it done to our GDP? What has it done to our economy?” she queried.
Comparing the situation to that of renowned Ghanaian travel vlogger Wode Maya, Lily Mohammed questioned why citizenship appeared to be easily offered to foreign personalities while Ghanaians who promote the country globally receive no such privileges abroad.
“Wode Maya has been putting Ghana on the map globally. Have you seen that he’s gone to America and the Americans have given him an American passport? Even Nigeria — has Nigeria given him a Nigerian passport?” she asked.
The broadcaster further questioned what achievement IShowSpeed had made to warrant such an honour.
“Give him a Ghanaian passport for what achievement? What has he done for Ghana that he’s coming to sit on our jollof and walking away?” she said, adding sarcastically that Ghanaians later rushed to eat the jollof rice the streamer had sat on.
Lily Mohammed called on authorities to protect the dignity and value of the Ghanaian passport, urging leaders to treat citizenship matters with greater seriousness.
“With the greatest of respect, let’s put some value on our passport. Let’s put some value on our country. Anybody walking into Ghana in the name of ‘I’m putting Ghana on the map’ and every minute we show them a Ghanaian passport — meanwhile Ghanaians are queuing for passports,” she lamented.
She concluded by highlighting the daily struggles ordinary citizens face in acquiring passports, despite being born in the country.
“Ghanaian citizens born in Ghana are queuing. People are going through corners just to get their passport done,” she added.
The comments have since sparked intense debate online, with many Ghanaians divided over whether granting citizenship to foreign influencers truly benefits the nation or diminishes the value of Ghanaian nationality.
