By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Oct. 20, GNA – Ghanaian-Canadian media personality and cultural strategist, Ms Ivy Prosper, has launched a public petition calling on Government to confer the Order of the Star of Ghana on veteran cinematographer and filmmaker Reverend Dr Chris Tsui Hesse.
The conferment she said should be in recognition of his contribution to preserving the country’s history and cultural heritage.
The petition, launched on October 17, 2026, called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Government to honour the 94-year-old filmmaker for more than six decades of documenting Ghana’s national history, including the struggle for independence and the country’s political development.
Dr Hesse served as the personal cinematographer to Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, capturing significant moments in the country’s history from the final years of British colonial rule through independence and subsequent governments.
According to a statement issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency, by Prosper Creative Group, Dr Hesse also safeguarded more than 1,000 reels of historic footage following the 1966 military coup that overthrew Nkrumah’s government, helping to preserve an important visual record of Ghana’s independence movement and Africa’s wider liberation struggle.
“Chris Hesse did more than document history. He protected our history,” stressing that his work had helped ensure that future generations could access images of Ghana’s journey captured by an African filmmaker.
She said Dr Hesse’s contribution to the country’s national identity was immeasurable and deserved recognition through one of Ghana’s highest national honours.
“The filmmaker’s work has received renewed international attention through ‘The Eyes of Ghana’, a documentary directed by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Ben Proudfoot and executive produced by former United States President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.”
It said the documentary examines Dr Hesse’s filmmaking career and his efforts to preserve, restore and make historical footage from Ghana’s independence era accessible to new generations.
Ms Prosper said the petition was also intended to draw attention to the importance of recognising individuals who documented and preserved African history.
“As a storyteller, I understand the power of film to shape how we see ourselves and how the world understands us,” adding that Ghana could have lost a significant part of its history if Dr Hesse had not taken steps to safeguard the films.
She said the fact that Dr Hesse was still alive at 94 presented an opportunity for the country to recognise his contribution while he could appreciate the honour.
“We often celebrate individuals after they are gone, but Dr Hesse is still here with us. At 94 years old, he deserves to see his country recognise the significance of his life’s work,” she said.
The Order of the Star of Ghana is among the country’s prestigious national honours, recognising distinguished service and contributions to national development.
The petition is open to Ghanaians at home and abroad, members of the African diaspora, historians, filmmakers, cultural institutions, educators and other supporters of African heritage preservation.
Ms Prosper said the campaign went beyond recognising one individual, describing it as a call to value Ghana’s history, cultural identity and the people who had dedicated their lives to preserving them.
“Members of the public can sign and share the petition through the link: https://c.org/ph87VPJMmj.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng
Email: [email protected]