Ghana is often sold to the world as Africa's gateway, a land of rich history, vibrant culture and unforgettable experiences. Yet, in telling that story, the country may be overlooking one of its strongest tourism assets: its own history.
The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary about veteran filmmaker Rev. Dr Chris Tsui Hesse and his remarkable archive of historical footage, is a reminder that Ghana's past is not only something to preserve. It is something to share and a good reason for people to visit.
Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot, the film has drawn international attention. Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are executive producers and American internet personality iShowSpeed has joined as a producer.
That interest is an opportunity Ghana should not waste.
Special screenings are scheduled at cinemas in the United States and Canada on October 28, 2026. They will introduce more audiences to Hesse's work documenting Ghana's independence and the wider African liberation struggle. For many viewers, it may be their first encounter with this chapter of African history. ( Read iShowSpeed, Obamas back ‘The Eyes of Ghana’ documentary for October 28 cinema release)
But what happens after the credits roll?
It would be a pity if audiences admired Hesse's legacy without getting curious about the country whose history he helped preserve. Ghana needs to turn that curiosity into a wish to see its historical sites and cultural attractions in person.
That is where the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) comes in.
The authority should work with the film's producers, Ghanaian collaborators, museums and tour operators on a promotional campaign that links the documentary to the country's heritage attractions. Short videos, historical photographs, guided-tour packages and digital storytelling could help turn interest into actual visits.
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, which appears in the film, is an obvious place to start. Its link to Ghana's first President and the independence era could anchor heritage tours that explore the country's political history and the struggle for African liberation.
iShowSpeed's huge online following offers a way to reach younger audiences. Through well-planned digital partnerships, the GTA could encourage his followers to discover Ghana beyond their screens.
Promotion alone will not be enough, though. Heritage sites must be easy to reach and well maintained, with good historical interpretation so that visitors leave with something worth remembering.
Ghana has a story worth telling and through Chris Hesse's lens, it is reaching new audiences around the world. The task now is to give those audiences a reason to come and see it for themselves.
