- President Mahama says new media is reshaping global perceptions of Ghana
- Influencer IShowSpeed’s visit triggered massive global online interest
- Shea butter gained international attention following the visit
President John Dramani Mahama has drawn attention to the rising impact of new media, disclosing that a recent visit to Ghana by American internet personality IShowSpeed sparked a surge in global interest in the country.
Speaking at the Ghana–Zambia Business Forum, President Mahama explained that the influencer’s visit generated significant online engagement, particularly around Ghanaian products such as shea butter.
He noted that after touring the country and visiting a shea butter museum, IShowSpeed’s experiences prompted millions of people worldwide to search online for information about Ghana and the benefits and uses of shea butter.
“Not long ago, a young American influencer travelled across several African countries discussing the influence of new media. When he came to Ghana, he was introduced to our local shea butter — and I wasn’t even aware we had a shea butter museum,” the President remarked.
According to President Mahama, the influencer also underwent a shea butter massage performed by about ten women, an experience that quickly went viral and captured global attention.
“Following his visit, I was informed that there were millions of online searches about what shea butter is and how it is used. He marketed our product far more effectively than we could have done ourselves,” he said.
The President further revealed that Ghana recorded approximately 20 million online searches related to its tourist attractions after the visit, highlighting the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping international perceptions.
While acknowledging the benefits, he cautioned that the power of new media also comes with challenges. Overall, his comments underscore the expanding role of digital influencers in promoting tourism, culture, and local industries in today’s fast-changing global media environment.
