BoG breaks silence on controversy over Theodosia Okoh’s image on new GH¢50 notes

According to Beatrice Annan, the Theodosia Okoh portrait was drawn on three genuine photographs of Mrs Okoh.

She explained that two images were taken when she was young and one from her later years, merged into a single image of her as a mature woman.

Beatrice Annan further disclosed that the BoG is engaging with the family of Theodosia Okoh to explain the careful work that went into creating the portrait and resolve the issue.

In a post shared on X, Beatrice Annan wrote, “CLARIFICATION ON THE PORTRAIT OF THEODOSIA SALOME OKOH ON THE GH₵50 BANKNOTE

The Bank of Ghana has noted discussions on social media about the portrait of Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh, designer of Ghana’s national flag, on the new GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote.

A banknote portrait is not an ordinary photograph. It is an engraved artistic rendering created to meet the strict technical requirements of banknote printing. It must be sharp, well lit and rich in fine detail so that it can be engraved, reproduced in raised print and incorporate the security features that protect the note against counterfeiting.

The Bank worked from three authentic photographs of Mrs Okoh, two from her younger years and one from later life. These were used to create a single portrait presenting her as a mature woman while retaining a faithful family resemblance. Her hairstyle was also adjusted to align with the family’s style and provide a clear outline suitable for engraving.

The aim throughout was to produce a bold, clear and dignified image worthy of her place in our history. The result is the portrait featured on the GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote.

The Bank is engaging her family to explain the careful work that went into creating the portrait and resolve the issue”.

Her clarification comes on the heels of controversy that has sparked with questions about the selection and accuracy of the portrait, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin leading the charge, raising concerns about the image used on the new currency note.

The Minority Leader questioned the government’s diligence in selecting the image, contending that the alleged error raised concerns about its ability to manage the country’s economy.

Afenyo-Markin slammed the government for rushing to remove the images of the Big Six from Ghana’s currency, resulting in a mistake in representing Theodosia Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.

Addressing journalists after the presentation of the 2027 budget, Afenyo-Markin stated, “They were in haste to erase the Big Six from our currency and our history. Out of that haste and hate, we saw them outdooring a note bearing the name of Theodosia Okoh, but they got her picture wrong and placed a different face on the GH¢50 note,” he said.

“So a whole government machinery that cannot be diligent enough to get the right picture to put on our currency, how can we trust them with our economy? Can we trust them to put money in our pockets?” he asked.

Also, the Minority allegation was corroborated by Dr Eddie Obeng MBA, who said Theodosia Okkoh was his mother’s sister.

According to a post on LinkedIn by Dr Eddie Obeng accompanied by front and back images of the new GH₵50 note, he revealed that he had been proud to hear his aunt had been honoured, only to realise the face on the note was not hers, but rather his mother’s.

“I have a wry smile on my face that won’t go away, and occasionally I shake my head or giggle. So, I heard this morning that my aunt had been honoured in a new series of issued banknotes in Ghana – she’s famous there for designing the country’s flag after independence from Britain.

I was very proud and began composing a message to my cousin. Imagine my surprise when I took a look and realised that they have used a picture of my mother instead – she’s famous for being the country’s first lady PhD. You can’t make it up,” he wrote.

CLARIFICATION ON THE PORTRAIT OF THEODOSIA SALOME OKOH ON THE GH₵50 BANKNOTE The Bank of Ghana has noted discussions on social media about the portrait of Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh, designer of Ghana’s national flag, on the new GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote. A banknote portrait is not an ordinary photograph. It is an engraved artistic rendering created to meet the strict technical requirements of banknote printing. It must be sharp, well lit and rich in fine detail so that it can be engraved, reproduced in raised print and incorporate the security features that protect the note against counterfeiting. The Bank worked from three authentic photographs of Mrs Okoh, two from her younger years and one from later life. These were used to create a single portrait presenting her as a mature woman while retaining a faithful family resemblance. Her hairstyle was also adjusted to align with the family’s style and provide a clear outline suitable for engraving. The aim throughout was to produce a bold, clear and dignified image worthy of her place in our history. The result is the portrait featured on the GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote. The Bank is engaging her family to explain the careful work that went into creating the portrait and resolve the issue.

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