iShowSpeed given Akan name Barima Kofi Akuffo during his visit to Ghana
Darren Watkins Jr, widely known by his online alias iShowSpeed, has been formally welcomed to Ghana with a traditional Akan naming ceremony, which was held on Monday, January 26, 2026, in the Eastern Region.
The ceremony took place at Akwapim-Akropong, where local chiefs and elders introduced the visiting streamer to Ghanaian customs through a culturally symbolic rite, accompanied by drumming and royal pageantry. This event served as a formal gesture of acceptance, establishing a connection between the content creator and the community through Ghana’s long-standing traditions.
As part of the ceremony, iShowSpeed was given the Ghanaian name Barima Kofi Akuffo, which carries significant cultural and symbolic meaning within Akan society. The name was conferred after the pouring of traditional libation and the invocation of ancestral blessings by the elders.
The title “Barima” is reserved for men considered brave and noble, often associated with leadership and strength. The name “Kofi” symbolically designates him as a Friday-born, a day traditionally associated with calmness and creativity in Akan culture. The surname “Akuffo” signifies his formal adoption into a local lineage, fostering a cultural bond with the community.
Dressed in kente cloth specially prepared for the occasion, the internet personality joined the chiefs in the durbar grounds, dancing to the rhythm of fontomfrom drums and greeting elders and residents who gathered in large numbers to witness the ceremony. The atmosphere was marked by music, applause, and chants of welcome, as community members celebrated the moment as both cultural exchange and honour.
The climax of the event came when iShowSpeed was presented to the Omanhene (paramount chief), completing the rite of passage and confirming his new identity within the Akan tradition.
The ceremony forms part of iShowSpeed’s visit to Ghana, during which he has been engaging with local culture, landmarks, and communities as part of a broader African tour that has drawn global attention online.
