Ghana's Film History Comes Alive as The Eyes of Ghana Takes Centre Stage in Accra

Ghana's rich history is set to receive renewed attention as a special screening of the documentary The Eyes of Ghana takes place at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.

The screening, organised through a partnership between Dikan and the dEX Ghana Foundation, is scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. It forms part of the second day of the seventh dEX Design Conference (DDC26).

The documentary tells the remarkable story of 93-year-old Chris Hesse, who served as the personal cameraman to Ghana's first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Through his camera, Hesse captured important moments in Ghana's history and the wider African liberation movement.

Today, Hesse is working to preserve and restore more than 1,300 reels of historic film footage. These recordings contain valuable memories of Ghana's past, making the documentary an important reminder of the need to protect the country's cultural heritage.

##: Why Preserving Old Film Footage Matters

Old film recordings are more than just moving pictures. They are historical records that help people understand where they come from and how their country has developed.

Without proper preservation, important recordings can become damaged or disappear completely. Film reels can deteriorate over time, especially when they are not stored under suitable conditions.

Preserving these materials gives future generations the opportunity to see important events rather than depending only on written accounts or stories passed down by older people.

The work being done by Chris Hesse is therefore important not only to Ghana but also to Africa's wider historical identity. His efforts help ensure that valuable stories from the past remain available for education, research and future storytelling.

##: Why Young Creatives Should Pay Attention

For young filmmakers, photographers, designers, writers and other creative professionals, The Eyes of Ghana offers an important lesson about the power of storytelling.

It shows that creative work can serve a purpose beyond entertainment. Films and photographs can document society, preserve culture and communicate important messages to people across generations.

Young creatives can also learn the importance of protecting their own work. Today's photographs, videos and documentaries may become tomorrow's historical records.

Understanding the past can also inspire new ideas and encourage African creatives to tell authentic stories about their communities, traditions and experiences.

##: A Story Worth Remembering

Directed by Ben Proudfoot, the documentary premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It was produced by Breakwater Studios and Higher Ground, the production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, who also serve as executive producers. American internet personality IShowSpeed also joined the project as a producer.

The partnership between Dikan and dEX Ghana brings the story to an audience of designers, students and storytellers, highlighting the connection between creativity, sustainability and cultural preservation.

Ultimately, The Eyes of Ghana reminds audiences that a nation's history should not be forgotten. Preserving old footage means protecting the memories, experiences and stories that help shape future generations.

Ghana's history deserves to be seen, remembered and passed on.