By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
On the occasion of Ghana’s Founders’ Day, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang paid a courtesy visit to Reverend Christian Tsui Hesse, popularly known as Chris Hesse, the celebrated personal photographer of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Rev. Hesse, regarded as one of Ghana’s most iconic cinematographers and filmmakers, is credited with preserving a priceless visual archive of Ghana’s political leadership and development over several decades. His work provides a rare and authentic record of the country’s history, particularly during the Nkrumah era.
The Vice President was accompanied by Mr. Goosie Tanoh and Mr. Alex Segbefia.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed her gratitude to Rev. Hesse for his lifelong dedication to documenting Ghana’s journey. She noted that in an age when historical narratives are often contested or distorted, his work remains a national treasure and a vital source of truth for future generations.
“I assured him of our commitment to safeguarding these archives and filling the gaps to ensure the next generation has access not only to data but to the qualitative truths of our story,” the Vice President said.
Reflecting on the significance of Founders’ Day, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that Ghana’s independence under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was not just a national milestone but a bold step in the broader struggle for African liberation. She added that lessons from that era remain highly relevant as the world undergoes new global shifts.
She further acknowledged that Rev. Hesse’s contributions underscore the urgent need for Ghana to own and preserve its history, ensuring that national memory is neither lost nor rewritten by others.
The Vice President concluded by praying for Rev. Hesse’s continued strength and good health, describing his legacy as “an extraordinary service to our nation.”
