IShowSpeed’s Ghana film push gets noticed

IShowSpeed, Obamas bring Ghana’s history to cinemas through documentary
Ghana’s rich history has received international attention through The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary backed by popular internet streamer IShowSpeed and former United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. The film reached cinemas in the United States and Canada on October 28, 2026, through a partnership involving Higher Ground Productions and Breakwater Studios.

Directed by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot, the documentary tells the story of 93-year-old Ghanaian cinematographer Rev. Dr Chris Tsui Hesse and his efforts to preserve important historical footage of Ghana and Africa.
Hesse served as the personal cameraman to Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. During his career, he captured significant moments surrounding Ghana’s independence and the wider African liberation movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
The documentary follows his mission to rescue and preserve more than 1,000 reels of historical footage before they are lost. These recordings provide valuable visual evidence of events that shaped Ghana’s political and cultural identity.
Hesse’s archive is particularly important because it offers younger generations an opportunity to see history beyond what they read in textbooks. Following the 1966 coup that removed Nkrumah from power, Hesse safeguarded historical film materials that might otherwise have disappeared. His efforts have helped protect memories of Ghana’s independence journey and Africa’s struggle for freedom.

The project also highlights the importance of preserving African stories and ensuring that historical records remain accessible to future generations.

IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., joined the production after visiting Ghana earlier in 2026 and developing a stronger connection with the country. His involvement, alongside the Obamas, is expected to introduce the documentary to audiences beyond traditional history and cinema enthusiasts.

For Africans in the diaspora, particularly people with Ghanaian roots, the film offers an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage and understand the events that shaped their ancestral homeland.
With international attention surrounding the project, The Eyes of Ghana also serves as a reminder that preserving history is essential to understanding identity, culture and the continent's shared past.