Each year during Independence Day celebrations in Ghana, the nation’s red, gold, and green flag with its iconic black star stands out as a powerful symbol of freedom, a design created by Theodosia Okoh.
In the lead-up to independence in 1957, the country required a national flag that would represent its freedom, identity, and aspirations. Okoh, a teacher and talented artist, submitted a design that was eventually selected as the official flag of the new nation.
Her design featured three horizontal stripes; red, gold, and green, with a bold black star positioned at the centre. Each colour carries deep national significance: red symbolises the blood shed by those who fought for freedom, gold represents the country’s rich mineral resources, and green reflects Ghana’s abundant forests and natural vegetation. The lone black star stands as a symbol of African freedom and unity.
Theodosia Salome Okoh was born Theodosia Salome Abena Kumea Asihene on June 13, 1922, in Effiduase. She was the fourth of eight children born to the Very Reverend Emmanuel Victor Asihene, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and Madam Dora Asihene, both from Anum in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.
Beyond designing the national flag, Okoh also gained recognition as an accomplished artist whose works were exhibited internationally. She further made significant contributions to sports development in the country, playing a leading role in the growth of hockey in Ghana.
When Ghana gained independence from Britain on March 6, 1957, the flag designed by Okoh was officially adopted by the country’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah.
Explaining the inspiration behind her design in an interview, Okoh said the colours reflected Ghana’s geography and natural wealth.
“I decided on the three colours of red, gold and green because of the geography of Ghana. Ghana lies in the tropics and is blessed with rich vegetation. The colour gold was influenced by the mineral-rich nature of our lands and red commemorates those who died or worked for the country’s independence,” she said.
She added that the five-pointed black star symbolised African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism.
Okoh passed away on April 19, 2015, but her legacy continues to fly high across the nation, quite literally, every time the Ghana flag is raised.
By Joseph Owusu Worae
