Wode Maya's Revelation

Renowned Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya sparked widespread discussion by sharing a photo on January 26, 2026, featuring streaming sensation IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) with a Ghanaian team, claiming that the entire "Speed Does Africa" tour was organized by Ghanaians.

Fact-checking shows Wode Maya served as the appointed team lead for the Ghana leg and played a central coordinating role in that stop, while the broader tour involved international production support with local teams handling individual countries.

Tour Overview

The American streamer's groundbreaking 28-day livestream adventure kicked off on December 29, 2025, in Angola and spanned 20 African countries—Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—before concluding on January 26, 2026, in Ghana.



Throughout the high-energy tour, Speed broadcast daily on YouTube and Twitch, attracting millions of peak concurrent viewers, breaking records, and offering an unfiltered view of Africa's diverse cultures, bustling cities, street scenes, entrepreneurial spirit, youthful vibrancy, and famed hospitality—effectively challenging entrenched stereotypes.



Akon thanked Ishowspeed for showing the world what Africa's really about .

Standout Moments Across the Continent

Notable highlights from the tour included:

• High-octane car drifts with pro spinner Sam Sam in South Africa, where Speed extended his visit to three full days—the longest stop—declaring the country "too good" and expressing reluctance to leave.


• Adventurous wildlife encounters in Zambia, such as nighttime excursions and dramatic moments like using a flashlight to ward off a hippopotamus.


• Impromptu dances with massive crowds, street food samplings, tribal ceremonies (including a warrior initiation in Eswatini), helicopter tours over Nairobi, heartfelt fan meetups (with young fans in Rwanda and Ethiopia moved to tears), soccer appearances, and authentic cultural dives that frequently went viral.

The tour's enormous global influence—Speed crossed 50 million YouTube subscribers midway through, including hitting the milestone on his 21st birthday in Nigeria—exposed millions to genuine African experiences, fostering more positive and contemporary views of the continent.

Ghana Finale: A Standout Celebration

The finale in Ghana on January 26, 2026, was particularly standout, with Wode Maya—Africa's premier travel content creator, committed to redefining global perceptions of the continent—leading the Ghana segment alongside local collaborators, including Adisadel College alumni. The one-day itinerary was filled with genuine moments highlighting Ghana's cultural depth and warmth.

Key Ghana Highlights

• A frenzied hero's welcome at Kotoka International Airport, complete with enormous crowds, cheers, and motorcades courtesy of the Ghana Bikers Association.


• Tours of iconic sites such as the Shea Butter Museum, Independence Square (Black Star Square), Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Jamestown, and Asenema Waterfall in Akropong—where locals provided an invigorating "waterfall massage."


• Engaging with schoolchildren, creators, ordinary Ghanaians, food tastings (featuring shea butter and collaborations with personalities like Chef Abby), and spontaneous interactions that embodied Ghanaian hospitality.


• A traditional Akan naming ceremony at the palace of Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the Omanhene (King) of the Akuapem Traditional Area in Akropong, where Speed was bestowed the Ghanaian name Barima Kofi Akuffo (with "Barima" signifying a brave or royal man, "Kofi" as the soul name for someone born on a Friday, and "Akuffo" linking to the royal lineage).

Speed lavished praise on Ghana, calling it the tour's pinnacle of hospitality with "crazy" energy and "different-scale" affection. Clips and images captured his enthusiasm for the authentic atmosphere, culture, cuisine, and people.

Local Pride and Praise from Afar

Wode Maya's involvement in the Ghana segment drew accolades for its smooth execution, enabling Speed to thrive while showcasing Ghana's pride, dynamism, and traditions. The stop ignited tremendous local pride among Ghanaians, who rejoiced in their compatriots' role in a worldwide event. While some fans lightheartedly lamented the brief one-day stay in the intensive 20-country schedule, hoping for extended future visits, singer Akon publicly thanked IShowSpeed and praised the tour overall for unveiling Africa's true hospitality and helping debunk long-held stereotypes.

A Lasting Legacy

Ultimately, "Speed Does Africa" transcended mere content creation—it forged connections, honored diversity, and elevated emerging African talents like Wode Maya. As reflections pour in on the exhilaration, authenticity, and affection exchanged, the tour cements an enduring impact of renewed worldwide insights into Africa.