Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has defended Ghana’s passport regimewih twelve-point explanations amid public debate triggered by reports surrounding the proposed issuance of a Ghanaian passport to U.S. internet personality Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr., following his recent visit to Ghana.
In a detailed public statement, the Minister said Ghana welcomes the international attention the discussion has generated, stressing that the country’s passport system has undergone significant reforms and now ranks among the most advanced globally in terms of security, accessibility and service delivery.
The statement followed sharp criticism from GHOne TV journalist and presenter Lily Mohammed, who questioned the rationale behind the reported passport issuance to IShowSpeed, arguing that the move undermined the value of Ghanaian citizenship and the struggles ordinary citizens face in obtaining passports.
Speaking on her programme, Ms. Mohammed said many Ghanaians continue to endure long queues and administrative hurdles to acquire what she described as a “common passport,” and expressed concern that a foreign visitor appeared to be receiving preferential treatment.
She further questioned whether a short visit and online content creation justified fast-tracked access to Ghanaian citizenship documentation, and cautioned that citizenship should not be treated as a public relations tool or awarded without strict adherence to established legal processes.
Ms. Mohammed also compared the situation to the experiences of Ghanaian content creators who have promoted the country internationally over many years, arguing that such individuals have not received similar recognition or citizenship considerations.
In responding, Ablakwa said Ghana currently issues a modern, chip-embedded passport that is fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, incorporating more than 170 advanced security features. He added that investments, including artificial intelligence tools, have been deployed to enhance the integrity of passport administration and safeguard against fraud.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further noted that the Ghanaian passport is empirically regarded as one of the most globally valuable travel documents, granting holders visa-free, visa-on-arrival or facilitated entry to about 50 countries across all continents. He also indicated that additional visa waiver agreements with friendly nations are expected to be concluded within the year.
On domestic access, Mr. Ablakwa said passport services are now available in all 16 regions of Ghana for the first time in the country’s history. He added that processing timelines have significantly improved, with applicants receiving passports in less than 15 days, while an expedited same-day application and delivery service has been introduced.
He further announced that passport delivery is now conducted through a courier system at no additional cost to applicants, and that fees have been reduced by 30 percent — from GH¢500 to GH¢350 — despite the transition from biometric to chip-embedded passports and improved service standards.
The Minister also disclosed that a backlog of over 40,000 undelivered passports inherited in 2025 has been completely cleared, describing the development as a major efficiency milestone. He assured that all Ghanaian passport holders are entitled to full consular protection and enhanced diplomatic support from the Government of Ghana.
The controversy reignited national discussion on passport accessibility, citizenship criteria and administrative transparency, with government officials insisting that all passport and citizenship processes remain governed by law and due process, regardless of public interest or international attention.
Following public backlash, the GHOne TV presenter later issued an apology, conceding that aspects of her commentary were excessive, while maintaining her broader concern about fairness, equity and respect for Ghanaian citizenship.
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