The Colours of the Ghana flag as designed by Theodosia Okoh
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It was sad when the news broke that the woman behind the design of the national of Ghana, Mrs. Theodosia Okoh responded to the heavenly call on April 19, 2015.
Upon hearing of her death, I wondered why I should discuss the issue of the colours in the National flag she designed in 1957 but upon a second thought, it was necessary for the generations yet unborn to know the true history of the colours of the National flag and that the Gold was not yellow as being portrayed by those who print. Ghana as we all know is the first black African country to attain independence in 1957 during which the industrious Mrs. Theodosia Okoh designed the Ghana flag after an advert had been published in the local newspaper calling for design of the National flag for Ghana. |
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The National flag was to replace the flag of the United Kingdom upon attainment of independence in 1957 and in designing it, Mrs. Okoh chose the colours of Red, Gold and Green in horizontal stripes with a five-pointed star in the centre of the gold stripe.
For the purposes of history, the Red, Gold and Green colours for the national flag were chosen because of the geography of Ghana. The Green was chosen because Ghana lies in the tropics and is blessed with rich vegetation; the Gold was influenced by the mineral rich nature of the country, and Red commemorates those who died or worked for the country’s independence.
She added that the five-pointed lone star (popularly called the Black Star) symbolised African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism.
The emphasis of this write-up is to draw attention to the fact the Ghana flag has no yellow among the colours Mrs. Theodosia Okoh used to design the flag but unfortunately, many Ghanaian flags hoisted at a State or National functions, Schools, stadia and even at some Churches has the yellow colour.
It is unfortunate that you would see different shades of yellows in our national flag and one wonders why it should be so.
The younger generation must be taught to know that the yellow colour they see on the national flag should be Gold which symbolises the rich natural minerals Ghana boasts of and it is probable to attach reverence to the National flag with dignity wherever we find ourselves.
As a patriotic Ghanaian, I suggest that government considers erecting a deserving statue in honour of Mrs. Theodosia Okoh as an encouragement to the family that Ghanaians appreciate her effort of giving us a superbNational flag.
I also appeal the government and Stakeholders to ensure that all national flags printed by in Ghana and elsewhere especially China has the Gold colour to portray its purpose.
I propose also that the Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative arts considers organising fora to educate the younger generations about our cultural heritage and historical facts. This would enable them appreciate that the meaning of the symbols, words and colours in our National Anthem, Pledge, coat of Arms and flag.
For the purposes of history, the Red, Gold and Green colours for the national flag were chosen because of the geography of Ghana. The Green was chosen because Ghana lies in the tropics and is blessed with rich vegetation; the Gold was influenced by the mineral rich nature of the country, and Red commemorates those who died or worked for the country’s independence.
She added that the five-pointed lone star (popularly called the Black Star) symbolised African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism.
The emphasis of this write-up is to draw attention to the fact the Ghana flag has no yellow among the colours Mrs. Theodosia Okoh used to design the flag but unfortunately, many Ghanaian flags hoisted at a State or National functions, Schools, stadia and even at some Churches has the yellow colour.
It is unfortunate that you would see different shades of yellows in our national flag and one wonders why it should be so.
The younger generation must be taught to know that the yellow colour they see on the national flag should be Gold which symbolises the rich natural minerals Ghana boasts of and it is probable to attach reverence to the National flag with dignity wherever we find ourselves.
As a patriotic Ghanaian, I suggest that government considers erecting a deserving statue in honour of Mrs. Theodosia Okoh as an encouragement to the family that Ghanaians appreciate her effort of giving us a superbNational flag.
I also appeal the government and Stakeholders to ensure that all national flags printed by in Ghana and elsewhere especially China has the Gold colour to portray its purpose.
I propose also that the Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative arts considers organising fora to educate the younger generations about our cultural heritage and historical facts. This would enable them appreciate that the meaning of the symbols, words and colours in our National Anthem, Pledge, coat of Arms and flag.