Rapper Sarkodie has reacted to American streamer IShowSpeed’s recent visit to Ghana during his live-streamed, 20-country African tour in January 2026, calling it a major win for the continent.
The 21-year-old, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr, boasts over 50 million subscribers on YouTube. His stop in Ghana was part of a broader African tour that drew huge online attention, with thousands tuning in daily to follow his movements across the continent.
Speaking to UK-based Capital Xtra, Sarkodie said the young streamer is making a significant impact by using his influence to showcase a different image of Africa to the world, particularly to audiences who may have grown up with negative stereotypes about the continent.
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“I think he is doing amazing. I even tweeted about it. With the kind of following he has, especially from where he is from, where a lot of people are brainwashed about the motherland, for a young guy to think I have to showcase his people like that, it doesn’t get better than that. Big shouts to IShowSpeed. That move was a big one for Africa,” Sarkodie said.
The rapper, who has consistently encouraged diasporans to choose Ghana when visiting Africa, highlighted how significant it is for someone with IShowSpeed’s global reach to spotlight Africa’s beauty and culture in real time.
During his visit, IShowSpeed immersed himself in local experiences, including receiving a traditional shea butter massage. Sarkodie emphasized the energy and excitement the streamer brought to the country.
“It’s a beautiful country everybody has to experience. IShowSpeed, you could see the energy when he got to Ghana. You could feel the love. I loved that intro,” Sarkodie added.
Ghana was the penultimate stop on IShowSpeed’s African tour, which concluded on January 25, 2026.
Following the trip, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the YouTuber, describing him as a “worthy ambassador.”
Listen to the interview below:
🚨Sarkodie gives a big shoutout to iShowSpeed on his visit to Ghana,and entreat everyone who ever visits Ghana to make a stop at Hamamat shea butter museum for a relaxing massage.
Sarkodie is live now on Capital Xtra with Manny Norte.👏🏾🔥 pic.twitter.com/mvpxrDJ0Ys
— Viral Picks (@theeviralpicks) March 1, 2026
Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘dark side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact
AK/MA

