Former President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted the unexpected global impact of popular American streamer IShowSpeed’s visit to Ghana, describing it as one of the most effective promotions the country has received in recent times.
Speaking at the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum, Mahama remarked that IShowSpeed’s presence in Ghana generated attention far beyond what traditional advertising campaigns could achieve. According to him, the digital ripple effect was enormous.
“IShowSpeed did more advertising for us than we could have done ourselves. After he left, I was told there were about 20 million internet searches for Ghana and shea butter,” he said.
The statement underscores the growing influence of digital creators and social media personalities in shaping global narratives about countries, tourism, and local products. IShowSpeed’s energetic exploration of Ghana — from culture and food to everyday street moments — resonated strongly with his massive international audience, many of whom were experiencing Ghana through his lens for the first time
Many have pointed out that creators like IShowSpeed now rival — and sometimes outperform — traditional tourism and marketing campaigns.
As Ghana continues to position itself as a cultural and business hub, the moment serves as a reminder that in today’s world, one viral visit can place an entire nation in the global spotlight