“We Are Not Serious as a Country; What Has He Done for Ghana?” – Lily Mohammed Criticises Passport Issuance to IShowSpeed

Ghanaian media personality and television producer, Lily Mohammed, has strongly criticised the government, particularly the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following the announcement that a Ghanaian passport had been issued to popular American streamer and YouTuber, IShowSpeed.

The announcement was made by Hon. Ablakwa in a post on Tuesday, January 27, where he explained that the decision followed discussions that established IShowSpeed’s connection to Ghana. According to the Minister, the move aligns with Ghana’s openness to welcoming members of the global African family who positively promote the country on the international stage.

However, reacting to the development on her programme on GHOne TV, Lily Mohammed questioned the rationale behind the decision, urging the government to place greater value on Ghanaian citizenship and documentation.

According to Lily, while she acknowledges that IShowSpeed’s visit helped bring global attention to Ghana, that alone does not justify the issuance of a Ghanaian passport. She described the decision as unnecessary and reflective of a lack of seriousness on the part of authorities.

“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 further expressed disappointment in Hon. Ablakwa, noting that she had higher expectations of him given his past public image and 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.

The show host questioned the tangible benefits of IShowSpeed’s visit to Ghana’s economy, asking what impact activities such as eating local food and visiting tourist sites had made on the country’s GDP or overall economic growth.

“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?”

Drawing comparisons, Lily referenced Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, who has consistently promoted Ghana across various countries through his content. She argued that despite his efforts, Wode Maya has not been granted citizenship or passports by the foreign countries he visits.

Read Also: Watch: IShowSpeed kicks off Ghana activities at Asenema Waterfalls

Lily also raised concerns about the struggles ordinary Ghanaians face in acquiring passports, pointing out that many citizens born and raised in Ghana are still forced to queue for long hours and endure delays just to access basic documentation.

“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 her criticism, Lily clarified that she has no issue with IShowSpeed personally or with his visit to Ghana. She commended his adventurous spirit and acknowledged that Ghana remains an attractive destination for global visitors.

However, she insisted that granting him a Ghanaian passport was unnecessary and called on authorities to place greater respect and value on  Ghanaian citizenship.

“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,” she added.

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