Following public discussion on the portrait on the newly introduced GH¢50 note by the Bank of Ghana on whether or not it was a portrait of Theodosia Salome Okoh who designed the Ghana flag or her younger sister, Dr Leticia Obeng, who was a scientist and famous for being Ghana's first lady PhD, a member of the BoG Board, Beatrice Feehi Annangfio has provided some clarification.
The Bank of Ghana is yet to officially react to the public discussion.
Read also: Here are the names of the faces on the newly introduced Ghana cedi notes and the security features
But Beatrice Annan, who is a Board Member of the BoG and a presidential staffer reacted on Facebook following the public discussion ignited by a post on LinkedIn by Dr Eddie Obeng, a nephew of Theodosia Okoh, who has said the portrait is that of his mother, Dr Leticia Obeng who is famous for being Ghana's first lady PhD.
Beatrice Annan wrote:
"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."
On his part, the following is what Dr Eddie Obeng, the son of Dr Leticia Obeng, who says the portrait on the GH¢50 note is rather his mum wrote on LinkedIn.
"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
Who is Theodosia Salome Okoh the woman who designed Ghana's national flag
Theodosia Salome Okoh (1922–2015) was a Ghanaian artist, teacher, and sports administrator. She is best known for designing Ghana's national flag.
Her design was officially adopted for Ghana's independence on March 6, 1957.
Ahead of Ghana's independence from British colonial rule, the government invited designs for a new national flag and Theodosia Okoh's design was selected.
She chose red to represent the blood of those who fought for independence, gold for Ghana's mineral wealth, and green for the rich forests and agriculture. She placed a five-pointed black star at the centre as a symbol of African emancipation and unity.
Born Theodosia Salome Abena Kumea Asihene on June 13, 1922, she studied fine arts at Achimota School before working as a schoolteacher.
Beyond the Ghana flag, she was an accomplished painter and collage artist whose works addressed Ghanaian life, architecture, and postcolonial themes.
Known affectionately as the "Joan of Arc of Ghana Hockey," Theodosia Okoh was a pioneer in developing field hockey in Ghana and became the first female chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association and later served as president of the Ghana Hockey Federation for more than 20 years.
Theodosia Okoh died on April 19, 2015, at the age of 92.
Her legacy remains central to Ghanaian national identity, and it based on this that the Bank of Ghana selected her portrait to be honoured on the front of the Bank of Ghana's Heritage Series GH¢50 banknote unveiled on November 12, 2026.
Her younger sister is Dr Leticia Obeng.
Who is Dr Leticia Obeng?
Dr Letitia Eva Takyibea Obeng (1925–2023) was a pioneering Ghanaian zoologist and environmental scientist, widely regarded as the "grandmother of female scientists in Ghana".
She made history as the first Ghanaian woman to earn a degree in zoology and the first to be awarded a doctorate in science.
