The Eyes of Ghana: Preserving Ghana's History Through Film Archives

The Eyes of Ghana: Preserving Ghana's History Through Film Archives

Ghana has a rich history of independence, leadership, culture and national development. One important way of preserving this history is through films and documentaries. The documentary The Eyes of Ghana, directed by Ben Proudfoot, tells the remarkable story of Ghanaian cinematographer Reverend Dr Chris Hesse and his efforts to preserve important historical recordings of Ghana and Africa.

Chris Hesse served as the personal cameraman to Ghana's first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, during the 1950s and 1960s. During this period, he recorded important events connected to Ghana's independence and the wider African liberation movement. His camera captured political activities, historical celebrations and significant moments that helped shape the country's identity.

Following the military coup that removed Kwame Nkrumah from power in 1966, many of the historical recordings were believed to have been destroyed. However, Chris Hesse had secretly preserved more than 1,000 reels of film, protecting an important part of Ghana's history from being lost forever.

The documentary The Eyes of Ghana follows Hesse as he works to rescue, restore and make these valuable recordings accessible to future generations. With the assistance of young Ghanaian filmmaker Anita Afonu, he hopes to ensure that the historical materials are preserved and shared with the Ghanaian public. The documentary also highlights the importance of the country's film archives and the need to protect historical materials.

Ghana's film archives are important because they contain visual records of the country's past. They help students, researchers, filmmakers and historians understand how Ghana developed over the years. These recordings also provide future generations with an opportunity to learn about their cultural identity, national struggles and achievements.

Furthermore, preserving old films helps promote Ghanaian cinema and encourages young filmmakers to learn from the work of experienced professionals like Chris Hesse. Digitising old film materials is also important because it protects them from physical damage and makes them easier to access.

In conclusion, The Eyes of Ghana is more than just a documentary; it is a reminder that history must be protected and passed on to future generations. Chris Hesse's dedication shows the importance of preserving Ghana's film archives and telling African stories from African perspectives. Ghana must continue investing in film preservation because a nation that protects its history gives its future generations the opportunity to understand their past and build a better future.

Source: UniMAC – Institute of Film and Television, “The Eyes of Ghana: How a Film Screening at UniMAC-IFT is Reigniting a National Conversation on History, Memory, and Cinema.”