Creative Arts Minister joins Black History Month screening of 'Eyes of Ghana' in Toronto

Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, have participated in special screenings of “Eyes of Ghana” in Toronto as part of events marking the 30th anniversary of Black History Month.

The screenings, held on February 19 and 21, 2026, at the Toronto Pan Afrikan Film Festival (TPAFF), offered audiences an opportunity to reflect on Ghana’s independence struggle and the enduring legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, whose leadership continues to shape Pan-African thought and global conversations on liberation and identity.

Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who served as Special Guest of Honour, reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to cultural diplomacy, the growth of the creative arts sector and the international promotion of Ghanaian narratives.

In her address, she urged members of the diaspora to visit Ghana and reconnect with their heritage, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the country’s history, culture, cuisine, music and dance. She underscored that coming home holds profound cultural and ancestral significance.

The High Commissioner, Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, attended the opening screening alongside officials from Ghana’s diplomatic missions in Canada and reaffirmed the country’s support for preserving African historical archives and promoting accurate narratives of the continent’s liberation movements.

The engagement also strengthened collaboration with diaspora communities and cultural institutions in Canada.

The documentary captures Ghana’s early post-independence years through the lens of veteran cinematographer Chris Hesse, who served as personal cameraman to Dr Nkrumah.

His archive of more than 1,300 film reels documents pivotal national and continental moments during a transformative era in African history. Efforts are ongoing to preserve and repatriate these materials from the United Kingdom to Ghana.

The film, produced by Ghanaian creative professional Nana Adwoa Frimpong, was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot and executive produced by former U.S. President Barack Obama alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama. The screenings attracted a diverse audience and underscored sustained global interest in Ghana’s historical legacy and the protection of African narratives.

“Eyes of Ghana” is scheduled to be screened in Ghana in April 2026, further deepening national engagement with this important historical record and reinforcing the call to document African stories through African perspectives.