A NEW documentary, The Eyes of Ghana, offering audiences a rare and emotional look into Ghana’s early political history through never-before-seen footage of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, premieres today, Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana at 6 pm.
There will be another showing on Saturday, April 18, but this time at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon, at 5 pm.
At the heart of the documentary is 93-year-old Ghanaian documentarian Reverend Chris Hesse, the man who stood behind the camera during some of the most defining moments of Ghana’s independence era.
Once the personal cinematographer of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Hesse captures history as it unfolds, preserving powerful images that remain hidden for decades.
The Eyes of Ghana traces Hesse’s extraordinary journey as he races against time and his fading eyesight to recover and repatriate a hidden archive of more than 1,000 reels of film. These reels document the birth of African independence across the 1950s and 1960s, offering a rare African perspective on a pivotal period in history.
The film also reveals a remarkable act of foresight. During the 1966 coup that overthrew Nkrumah, Hesse secretly shipped the film negatives to London, safeguarding them from destruction. For nearly 70 years, these visuals remained preserved abroad, waiting for the right moment to return home.
In a chat with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, April 13, Project Production Partner of The Eyes of Ghana, Justice Baidoo, described the project as more than just a film, emphasising its cultural and historical significance.
“This is about reclaiming our story. These images are not just archives. They are a living memory of who we are as a people and where we come from.”
Produced by Nana Adwoa Frimpong, the documentary is both deeply personal and historically significant. She explained that the project is a tribute to Hesse and a new generation of African storytellers determined to tell their own stories.
“He has been waiting to tell his story for more than 70 years. This film is really a homage to him, to Ghana’s history and to the rising generation of storytellers,” she said.
The documentary draws from over 300 hours of archival material, carefully selecting about 15 minutes of footage that had remained largely unseen. These scenes capture raw, emotional, and human moments from Ghana’s early years, from independence celebrations to key political events.
Beyond its historical value, The Eyes of Ghana raises a critical question about ownership of history. Through Hesse’s journey, the film challenges audiences to reflect on who gets to tell Africa’s story and why preserving local narratives matters.
The premiere screenings will also feature an engaging post-screening Q&A session with members of the filmmaking team, including Reverend Chris Hesse, Anita Afonu (Storyteller and Producer), Ben Proudfoot (Director and Producer), Brandon Somerhalder (Cinematographer and Producer) and Nana Adwoa Frimpong (Producer).
Highlights from the event will be shared across digital platforms to further promote Ghana’s cultural heritage on the global stage.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh