Ishowspeed, Barack Obama & Wife Team Up for Ghana’s Documentary

American internet streamer iShowSpeed has joined former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as a producer of The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary celebrating veteran Ghanaian cinematographer Rev. Dr Chris Tsui Hesse and his efforts to preserve Ghana’s history.

The 90-minute documentary, directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot, will receive a special one-night cinema screening across the United States and Canada on October 28, 2026.

The screening is being organised by Breakwater Studios and Higher Ground, the production company founded by the Obamas. Participating cinema chains include Regal, AMC and Cinemark, alongside selected independent theatres.

iShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins, joined the project after visiting Ghana earlier this year and developing a deeper connection with the country’s history. He has since shared the film’s official trailer with his global audience.

In a statement, the 21-year-old streamer said he was honoured to help bring Hesse’s story to a wider audience.

“It is a great honor to be part of The Eyes of Ghana and help bring this extraordinary piece of history to the big screen. I felt a profound connection to Ghana when I visited this year, and learning about Chris Hesse’s work deepened my understanding of the country and its people.”

He added: “His camera captured the birth of African independence, and his determination to preserve those images has ensured that future generations can witness it for themselves. I’m humbled by his legacy and proud to help bring his story to my community.”

The documentary follows Hesse’s efforts to preserve more than 1,000 reels of historical footage documenting Ghana’s independence and the wider African liberation movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

Born in Osu, Accra, Hesse began his professional career in 1954 and later became a trusted cinematographer of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He documented presidential activities, major political events and important moments in the country’s early years as an independent nation.

His work also extended beyond politics. Hesse contributed to notable Ghanaian films, including Love Brewed in the African Pot and Heritage Africa, both directed by Kwaw Ansah. In 1960, he documented the Congo Crisis for international distribution.

Following the 1966 military coup that overthrew Nkrumah, Hesse protected a large collection of historical film material that could otherwise have been lost.

However, much of the archive remained unseen for decades. As his eyesight weakened with age, he began working to recover and preserve the footage and make it available to the public.

He also teamed up with young Ghanaian filmmaker Anita Afonu and her colleagues to ensure that a new generation understood the importance of the collection and continued documenting the country’s story.

Their efforts led towards a public screening at Accra’s historic Rex Cinema, giving audiences an opportunity to see historical images that had remained largely hidden for generations.

The documentary was inspired by a chance encounter between Hesse and Proudfoot several years ago, after which the veteran filmmaker entrusted the director with telling his story.

iShowSpeed’s involvement is expected to introduce the documentary to younger audiences internationally. With more than 200 million followers across platforms, the streamer is among the most recognisable personalities in online entertainment.

During his Speed Does Africa tour earlier in 2026, he visited the Kwame Nkrumah monument in Accra, where he recreated the pose associated with Ghana’s first President. The monument also features in the documentary.

Barack and Michelle Obama serve as executive producers through Higher Ground, which supports projects with cultural and social importance.

Ethan Lewis, Head of Non-Fiction at Higher Ground, praised Hesse’s work in protecting Ghanaian and African history.