A deserving tribute to Ghanaian womanhood
Mrs Theodosia Okoh belonged to that small but greatly influential unsung band of women who nurtured the Gold Coast into the modern state of Ghana with equal opportunities for boys and girls and with quiet but effective rejection of inferior status for women.
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It was not easy to be the only qualified female teacher (or Teacher ‘Awura’) all around and to enter Achimota College for a three-year specialist course in Art when a woman should normally settle down in life.
She was pretty and articulate and found many suitors among the seniors in the secondary and intermediate classes. But those who were shy of serious discussion did not stay the course.
Art was her passion; she tried to share the culture. It became clear that it was not only the male Asihenes who had the eye, fingers and inner perception for the subject.
In her company, I improved my appreciation of art. Her gift (handiwork) is proudly displayed in my dining room. But important as her mastery of art which culminated in the design of the national flag was, Theodosia Okoh’s support for her husband and influence over senior civil servants deserve serious recognition.
Theodosia’s husband, Enoch Okoh, was the Head of the Civil Service as well as Secretary to the Cabinet. Those were the days when senior civil servants worked around the clock and were their own consultants.
President Nkrumah’s policies and objectives required constant consultation and co-ordination.
Auntie Theodosia was the telephonist as well as hostess who made ministers and principal secretaries (now Chief Directors) feel at home in Chief’s residence.
Theodosia Okoh was the head of a band of unknown, unrecognised women who gave unstinted devotion to duty to support the national work of their husbands.
We should remember them as we honour Theodosia Okoh. She and her contemporaries were content with their lot. As we cast our eyes around, we see how they lived.
Theodosia Okoh is not living in a mansion as some latter-day ministers, deputy ministers and senior public officials.
There was plenty of room for that grabbing which is the bane of high service today.
If the men were honest and devoted, it was partly because their women did not aim for worldly treasures.
As we pay tribute to the work and achievements of Theodosia Okoh, let us remember the women who helped her and who laboured to make our nation great
