Meet Theodosia Okoh, The Woman Whose Portrait Appears on Ghana’s New GH¢50 Note

Ghanaians have been introduced to the remarkable woman whose portrait now features on the newly unveiled GH¢50 banknote, following the Bank of Ghana’s launch of the Ghana Cedi Heritage Series on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

The woman is Theodosia Salome Okoh, the celebrated Ghanaian artist and designer who created the country’s iconic national flag.

Her appearance on the new GH¢50 note is a tribute to her outstanding contribution to Ghana’s national identity, history and independence.

The redesigned GH¢50 note carries the theme of Nationalism,celebrating the values of patriotism, freedom and national pride. It features her portrait on the front, while Jubilee House, the official seat of Ghana’s presidency, appears on the reverse side.

The note also incorporates the Adinkra symbol *Fawohodie*, which represents freedom, independence and emancipation.

Born on June 13, 1922, Theodosia Okoh was originally known as Theodosia Salome Abena Kumea Asihene. She was born into a family of eight children to Reverend Emmanuel Victor Asihene and Madam Dora Asihene.

She developed an interest in education and the arts from an early age. After completing her basic education, she attended Agogo Presbyterian Training College, where she trained as a teacher. She later received three years of Fine Art training at Achimota School, becoming a qualified artist.

Her name became permanently associated with Ghana’s history in 1957 when she designed the national flag following an invitation for Ghanaians to submit designs for the country’s new flag ahead of independence.

Her design, featuring red, gold and green horizontal stripes with a black five-pointed star in the middle, was officially adopted when Ghana gained independence from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957.

The colours carried important meanings. Red represents the blood of those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom, gold represents Ghana’s mineral wealth, while green symbolises the country’s rich vegetation. The black star represents African freedom and emancipation.

Apart from her achievements in art and education, Theodosia Okoh also made significant contributions to the development of hockey in Ghana.

She became the first female chairperson of the Ghana Hockey Association and played an important role in promoting the sport.

In recognition of her contribution, the national hockey stadium in Accra was named after her. She also received several awards, including the Grand Medal for her service to the country.

Theodosia Okoh passed away on April 19, 2015, at the age of 92. Her death was widely mourned, and the government directed that national flags be flown at half-mast for three days in her honour.

More than a decade after her death, the Bank of Ghana has honoured her memory by featuring her portrait on the new GH¢50 banknote.

The decision has once again brought attention to the remarkable contribution of a Ghanaian woman whose creativity gave the country one of its most recognisable national symbols.

The new GH¢50 note is therefore more than a redesigned currency denomination. It represents a reminder of Ghana’s history, freedom and the remarkable individuals who helped shape the nation’s identity.

Theodosia Okoh may be gone, but every time Ghana’s national flag flies, her legacy lives on.

The new Heritage Series banknotes are expected to enter circulation on December 1, 2026, alongside the existing cedi notes, which will remain legal tender.