Vice-President hails Rev. Chris Hesse for preserving nation’s history

The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has paid a visit to the celebrated personal photographer of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Rev. Christian Tsui Hesse, popularly known as Chris Hesse.

The visit, which coincided with the commemoration of the Founder’s Day, was aimed at honouring Rev. Hesse for his immense contribution to documenting the nation’s political and cultural history.

National icon

Rev. Hesse is widely regarded as one of the country’s most iconic cinematographers and filmmakers.

Rev. Christian Tsui Hesse (left), personal photographer of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, showing Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (right) some visual archives captured during the country ’s post-independence era

He is credited with preserving a priceless visual archive of Ghana’s political leadership and development over several decades, particularly during the Nkrumah era.

Through his lens, much of Ghana’s post-independence history has been authentically captured and safeguarded for posterity.

The Vice-President was accompanied by Mr Goosie Tanoh and the Chief of Staff at her office, Mr Alex Segbefia.

Appreciation 

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed her gratitude to Rev. Hesse for his lifelong dedication to documenting and preserving the country’s history .

“His archives capture the facts of our nation’s journey and remain an invaluable national treasure at a time when narratives are too often distorted,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said in an age when historical narratives were often contested or distorted, his work remained a national treasure and a vital source of truth for future generations.

She further assured him of the government’s commitment to safeguarding these archives and filling in the gaps to ensure future generations inherited not just data, but the qualitative truths of Ghana’s journey.

Reflection

Reflecting on the significance of Founder’s Day, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that Ghana’s independence under Dr Kwame Nkrumah was not merely a national milestone but also a bold step in the broader struggle for African liberation.

“As we reflect on Founder’s Day, we are reminded of Nkrumah’s declaration of our independence as an unfinished but bold step toward African liberation.

Today, with global shifts underway, the lessons from that era remain highly relevant,” she added.

She also highlighted that Rev. Hesse’s work underscored the urgent need for Ghanaians to own and preserve their history, ensuring that national memory was neither lost nor rewritten by others.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang thanked Rev. Hesse for his extraordinary service to the nation and prayed for his continued strength and good health.