- American streamer IShowSpeed has joined the production team of The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary backed by former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama
- The film follows 93-year-old cinematographer Chris Hesse as he works to preserve more than 1,000 films documenting Ghana’s independence era and wider African liberation movements
- A special one-night theatrical screening is scheduled for 28 October 2026 at participating cinemas in the United States and Canada, while a screening date for Ghana has not been announced
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Popular American internet personality IShowSpeed has announced his involvement in a documentary exploring Ghana’s independence history, joining a project supported by former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama.
Source: UGC
The 21-year-old streamer, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has become a producer of The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary about efforts to preserve rare historical footage from Ghana’s independence struggle.
The project brings together IShowSpeed, Breakwater Studios and Higher Ground, the production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, who serve as executive producers.
IShowSpeed explains why he joined the Ghana documentary
During a livestream on Thursday, 15 October 2026, IShowSpeed explained that his visit to Ghana earlier in the year inspired him to become involved in the project.
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“I went to Ghana this year, and it felt like home.”
The streamer said he contacted the filmmakers after learning about their work and was subsequently invited to join the production as a producer.
He also shared the documentary’s trailer with his audience and said he had already watched the film, describing it as educational and impressive.
His involvement follows his visit to Accra during his Speed Does Africa tour. While visiting the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, he recreated a well-known pose associated with Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
The new project offers the streamer an opportunity to introduce his large online audience to an important chapter of Ghanaian and African history.
Watch the X video below:
What is The Eyes of Ghana about?
Directed by Ben Proudfoot, a two-time Academy Award winner, The Eyes of Ghana follows 93-year-old cinematographer Chris Hesse, who served as Kwame Nkrumah’s personal cameraman.
Hesse is working to preserve more than 1,000 films documenting Ghana’s independence movement and other African liberation struggles during the 1950s and 1960s.
Much of the footage remained out of public view for decades following Nkrumah’s overthrow in 1966. Preserving the collection is important because the films provide a visual record of political change, independence movements and the people who helped shape modern African nations.
The documentary also features filmmaker Anita Afonu, who is involved in efforts to safeguard Hesse’s collection for future generations.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 and has received recognition at several international film festivals.
When will the Ghana documentary be released?
A special one-night theatrical screening of The Eyes of Ghana is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at participating cinemas in the United States and Canada.
As of 16 October 2026, a confirmed screening date for Ghana had not been announced. Viewers in Ghana and other African countries will need to wait for further information about local screenings or other release options.
IShowSpeed’s participation could help bring the documentary to a younger, global audience, drawing attention to the historical footage and the people working to preserve Ghana’s story of independence.
By combining archival films with the experiences of those who helped create and preserve them, The Eyes of Ghana highlights the importance of protecting Africa’s historical records for future generations.
IShowSpeed gains Ghanaian nationality after Africa tour
TUKO.co.ke reported that Ghana approved a passport for American streamer IShowSpeed following his visit to the West African country during his 2026 Africa tour.
The streamer revealed that his mother is Ghanaian and participated in a traditional naming ceremony during his stay.
He was given the name Barima Kofi Akuffo as part of the ceremony, which celebrated his connection to Ghana.
Source: TUKO.co.ke