Twitter is a microblogging and social networking service
In recent years, Ghanaian celebrities have been pushing the boundaries and violating the established quo, particularly when it comes to social media and the ultimate verification badge linked to their numerous social media names, which they hold in such high regard.
This week, a legion of celebrities, comprising musicians, actors, journalists, entertainment and sports persons and influencers were verified by Twitter after the organization noticed that their accounts which of public interest is authentic.
The few notable public figures who got their accounts authenticated are Kurt Okraku (President of the Ghana Football Association), Giovani Caleb (Ghanaian television personality and radio personality), Kuami Eugene (Ghanaian high-life and afrobeat singer-songwriter), Serwah Amihere (Ghanaian broadcast journalist and news presenter), and Bola Ray (radio and television personality and entrepreneur).
Others are DJ Vyrusky (Disc Jockey) Mensa (Musician), Gyakie (Ghanaian afrobeat/afro singer), Sammens (News), Wanlov (Ghanaian-Romanian musician and film director) and Richie Mensah (Ghanaian singer-songwriter and record producer).
The verification of these accounts comes at the back of Bernard Kafui Sokpe, popular known as Mistameister’s appointment as Senior Partner Manager at Twitter.
Per Twitter’s verification requirements, these accounts represent or otherwise is associated with prominently recognized individuals or brands, in line with the organization’s notability criteria: Government, Companies, brands, and organizations, News organizations and journalists, Entertainment, Sports and gaming, Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals.
In April 2021, Twitter officially announced its decision to base its African headquarters in Ghana. The announcement came just a week after Twitter’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, held a virtual meeting with Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo.
Dorsey spent three weeks travelling through Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa in 2019. During his time in Africa, the Twitter CEO met with industry leaders and tech stakeholders to discuss Twitter’s expansion into Africa. On his departure, Dorsey said that “Africa will define the future” and that he intended to live on the continent for up to six months in mid-2020.
While the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted Dorsey’s plans to live in Africa, the decision to open headquarters on the continent gathered steam throughout 2020, with Ghana ultimately being picked as the social media platform’s base of operations.
On why Ghana was chosen as the company’s African headquarters, Twitter explained that the country was a firm supporter of free speech, online freedom, and the Open Internet. Additionally, Ghana’s recent appointment to host The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area allows Twitter to “establish a presence in the region”.