Fresh controversy hits BoG heritage notes over GH₵5 portrait, alleged Zimbabwean influencer on GH₵1

The allegations alleged that the portrait officially identified as educationist Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey could actually be that of Gold Coast surveyor George Ekem Ferguson, while one of the women depicted in the GH₵1 Makola Market scene has been alleged to be a  Zimbabwean influencer Victoria Esther Nkhama, popularly known as Esther Bosha.

The allegations have triggered widespread discussions online, coming just days after the Bank was forced to defend the identity of the woman featured on the GH₵50 note.

The GH₵5 banknote is officially dedicated to Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, a renowned educationist and one of the co-founders of Achimota School.

However, a series of viral social media posts has challenged the identity of the man depicted, suggesting that the portrait could instead be that of George Ekem Ferguson, a prominent Gold Coast surveyor and diplomat.

The claim has attracted attention following a post widely shared by lawyer Noah Tietaah Yakubu, which features a side-by-side comparison of the image on the banknote and an archival photograph of Ferguson.

The comparison has triggered fresh discussions about whether the correct historical figure was used on the denomination.

The Bank of Ghana has not publicly addressed the latest allegation. Neither has there been any public confirmation or denial from members of the families of Dr Aggrey or Ferguson.

George Ekem Ferguson also portrayed as Kwegyir Aggrey on the GH¢5.00 note. This government is just wholly incompetent. All they know is to cause financial loss to the state. https://t.co/L5zz8yLUH4

So now we’re debating whether Kwegyir Aggrey is Kwegyir Aggrey or that is Ekem Ferguson, because two portraits look different? Are we turning every photograph on the new heritage notes into a national controversy? 😂😂🥹 https://t.co/5fYqXoJDsr

Zimbabwean influencer allegedly featured on GH₵1 note

Meanwhile, another controversy has emerged over the photograph used to depict the Makola Market scene on the reverse of the GH₵1 banknote.

Videos and posts circulating on social media claim that one of the women in the market scene is not Ghanaian but Zimbabwean social media personality Victoria Esther Nkhama, popularly known as Esther Bosha.

According to the claims, Bosha visited Ghana in 2021 and took a photograph with some market women at Makola. The allegation is that the photograph was subsequently used by the designers of the new banknote without recognising that the influencer was Zimbabwean.

Several TikTok videos have circulated the claim, although its authenticity and the identity of the woman in question remain unverified.

It is worth noting that the controversy concerns the market scene on the reverse of the GH₵1 note, not its principal portrait. The Bank of Ghana identifies the woman featured on the front as Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome, a Makola trader and independence activist.

After doing my research with a little brainstorming, I just found the real images of the market women featured on the One Ghana cedi note. Whew! The first 3 women in the first image and The Gen Z wearing a crop top with the woman in the back wearing the pink shirt in the 2nd image. It’s not AI-generated

🚨;BANK OF GHANA’s co- worker BRIGHT OSEI OWUSU added his girlfriend Grace, a trader to the heritage cedi note🙂‍↔️🎉 Something must kill a man oo ei🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 ….brotherhood is proud thou https://t.co/iyBCm9GlYx

GH₵50 portrait controversy remains unresolved

The new allegations follow the earlier dispute surrounding the GH₵50 banknote, which features a portrait officially identified by the Bank of Ghana as that of Theodosia Salome Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.

Questions emerged after social media users argued that the portrait bore a stronger resemblance to her sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.

The debate intensified when Dr Eddie Obeng, son of Dr Letitia Obeng and nephew of Theodosia Okoh, alleged in a LinkedIn post that the Bank had used a photograph of his mother instead of his aunt.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has rejected claims that the portrait of the late Mrs Theodosia Okoh on the new GH¢50 Heritage Series banknote was taken from a photograph of her sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.

According to the BoG, the image was developed from different photographs of Mrs Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.

The Central Bank clarified that the photo underwent artistic adjustments to meet the technical and security requirements of currency production.

BoG argued that changes made during the engraving process, including replacing Mrs Okoh’s familiar head tie with a hairstyle common during the period, had contributed to the differences in her appearance.

The Central Bank admitted that the alterations had resulted in the portrait bearing a close resemblance to Dr Obeng; however maintained that the portrait was intended to recognise Mrs Okoh’s contribution to Ghana’s national identity.

In a statement issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, the bank wrote, “The Bank of Ghana wishes to clarify concerns raised regarding the portrait of Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh, designer of Ghana’s national flag, featured on the new GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote.

The Bank confirms that the portrait was developed from different photographs of Mrs Okoh, and not from a photograph of her sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.

The photographs were used to create an engraved artistic representation suitable for banknote printing. During this process, certain adjustments, including the replacement of Mrs Okoh’s familiar head-tie with a hairstyle common during that period, were made to meet the technical and security requirements of currency production. These adaptations, unfortunately, contributed to the perceived differences in her appearance, and to the image bearing a close likeness to Dr Obeng.

The Bank appreciates the family’s constructive engagement and the public’s interest in preserving Ghana’s national heritage.

The Bank reaffirms that the portrait is intended to honour Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh and her invaluable contribution to Ghana’s national identity. The Bank is committed to ensuring that the distinguished personalities featured on Ghana’s currency are represented with dignity and respect.

The Heritage Series banknotes will enter circulation on 1 December 2026”.