Petition to Award Filmmaker, Rev. Chris Hesse with The Order of the Star of Ghana
The Issue
Petition to Ghana's government to award filmmaker Reverend Chris Hesse with The Order of the Star of Ghana!
The spirit of cultural preservation and identity is vital for any nation, and few have contributed more to Ghana's historical narrative than filmmaker Chris Hesse. As a storyteller, I have always been captivated by the power that film has to capture the very essence of human experience. Hesse’s work does exactly that. His work serves as an invaluable visual archive of Ghana's national journey.
Chris Hesse’s cinematic journey capturing Ghana began before the country gained independence. He documented the Gold Coast and then Ghana.
He chronicled pivotal moments leading up to and following the historic transition when Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence. During the transformative era of Kwame Nkrumah and extending through the Rawlings regime, Hesse was there, documenting not just political events, but also the evolving soul of a nation.
Hesse’s dedication went beyond mere documentation. In the aftermath of the 1966 coup that dismantled Kwame Nkrumah's government, Hesse’s work to preserve over 1000 film reels prevented a significant portion of our cultural heritage and history from being lost forever. This act of cultural stewardship safeguarded a visual time machine into Ghana's past, making his impact as perhaps the biggest chronicler of our national narrative.
More recently, his work and story is prominently featured in the documentary film, "The Eyes of Ghana," highlighting the enduring relevance and irreplaceable value of his contributions to our understanding of our country's history. Chris Hesse's films are history lessons and the stories that fuel our national pride and educate the youth about the paths that shaped present-day Ghana.
In the spirit of recognizing those who have propelled our nation forward and shared our story with the world, it is only fitting that the Government of Ghana honours Chris Hesse with The Order of the Star of Ghana. This prestigious award is the second-highest accolade bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate significant dedication and service to our nation.
By awarding Chris Hesse, we will reaffirm our commitment to preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage. It will not only be a tribute to Chris Hesse's remarkable contributions but also serve as a reminder of the powerful role of storytelling in shaping our national identity.
In am urging all Ghanaians and supporters of cultural preservation around the world to sign this petition to honour Chris Hesse, ensuring his invaluable contributions to our national history and identity are rightfully recognized. Let us come together to acknowledge a true custodian of Ghanaian history.
Sign the petition Today.
736
The Issue
Petition to Ghana's government to award filmmaker Reverend Chris Hesse with The Order of the Star of Ghana!
The spirit of cultural preservation and identity is vital for any nation, and few have contributed more to Ghana's historical narrative than filmmaker Chris Hesse. As a storyteller, I have always been captivated by the power that film has to capture the very essence of human experience. Hesse’s work does exactly that. His work serves as an invaluable visual archive of Ghana's national journey.
Chris Hesse’s cinematic journey capturing Ghana began before the country gained independence. He documented the Gold Coast and then Ghana.
He chronicled pivotal moments leading up to and following the historic transition when Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence. During the transformative era of Kwame Nkrumah and extending through the Rawlings regime, Hesse was there, documenting not just political events, but also the evolving soul of a nation.
Hesse’s dedication went beyond mere documentation. In the aftermath of the 1966 coup that dismantled Kwame Nkrumah's government, Hesse’s work to preserve over 1000 film reels prevented a significant portion of our cultural heritage and history from being lost forever. This act of cultural stewardship safeguarded a visual time machine into Ghana's past, making his impact as perhaps the biggest chronicler of our national narrative.
More recently, his work and story is prominently featured in the documentary film, "The Eyes of Ghana," highlighting the enduring relevance and irreplaceable value of his contributions to our understanding of our country's history. Chris Hesse's films are history lessons and the stories that fuel our national pride and educate the youth about the paths that shaped present-day Ghana.
In the spirit of recognizing those who have propelled our nation forward and shared our story with the world, it is only fitting that the Government of Ghana honours Chris Hesse with The Order of the Star of Ghana. This prestigious award is the second-highest accolade bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate significant dedication and service to our nation.
By awarding Chris Hesse, we will reaffirm our commitment to preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage. It will not only be a tribute to Chris Hesse's remarkable contributions but also serve as a reminder of the powerful role of storytelling in shaping our national identity.
In am urging all Ghanaians and supporters of cultural preservation around the world to sign this petition to honour Chris Hesse, ensuring his invaluable contributions to our national history and identity are rightfully recognized. Let us come together to acknowledge a true custodian of Ghanaian history.
Sign the petition Today.
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Petition created on October 17, 2026