Mrs. Theodosia Salome Abena Kumea Okoh néé Asihene might be gone, but her footprints have been engraved forever in the sands of time as one of the most influential women in Ghana. Through her noteworthy contribution, the renowned artist created an identity for the people of Ghana all over the world.
Born in Wenchi on the 13th June 1922, an established artist, Mrs. Okoh who had her eye catching art pieces displayed across the world was best known for designing the Ghana National Flag, a symbol of power, freedom and victory. It was adopted same year during the country’s Independence in 1957.
The design consists of the Pan-African colours of red, gold, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black five-pointed star in the centre of the gold stripe. The Ghanaian flag was the second African flag after the flag of the Ethiopian Empire to feature these colours
‘I decided on the three colors of red, gold & green because of the geography of Ghana. Ghana lies in the tropics and blessed with rich vegetation.
The color Gold was influenced by the mineral rich nature of our lands and Red commemorates those who died or worked for the country’s independence.
Then the five pointed lone star which is the symbol of African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism…’ – Theodosia Okoh had recounted.
Also a lover of sports, Mrs. Theodosia Okoh played an active role in the development of hockey in Ghana. She was Chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association. She was also a patron of the Ghana Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).
Mrs. Okoh received an award from ECRAG in 1993 for “Special Honours for the Design of the National Flag”.
The Ghanaian stateswoman and teacher passed on 19 April 2015, Tema, Ghana (aged 92 years).