Ghana's New GH¢50 Note Sparks Identity Dispute Over Theodosia Okoh Portrait

A controversy has erupted in Ghana over the portrait featured on the country's newly unveiled 50-cedi banknote. The Bank of Ghana has been accused of mistakenly engraving the likeness of a pioneering scientist instead of Theodosia Salome Okoh, the artist who designed Ghana's national flag. The central bank introduced the redesigned notes to upgrade security and durability standards. President John Mahama and Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama unveiled the new Heritage Series on November 12, 2026.

According to the central bank, the GH₵50 note honors Theodosia Salome Okoh, who created Ghana's red, gold, and green flag with the black star in 1957. The institution stated that the redesigned banknote embodies the theme of nationalism. However, questions surrounding the portrait surfaced immediately after the ceremony. Opposition figures quickly alleged that the engraved face actually belongs to Dr. Letitia Obeng, a renowned zoologist and younger sister of Mrs. Okoh.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin brought the accusation into the political spotlight during a press conference on Thursday evening. He charged the administration with rushing the currency redesign to sideline the Big Six, the founding leaders traditionally featured on Ghanaian banknotes. Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that political urgency led to a glaring historical blunder on the new currency.

Dr. Eddie Obeng, nephew of Mrs. Okoh and son of Dr. Letitia Obeng, publicly backed the claim of a mistaken identity. Writing on LinkedIn alongside photographs of the front and back of the new bill, Dr. Obeng described his shock upon inspecting the design. He noted that initial family pride quickly turned into disbelief when he recognized his own mother's features on the currency.

The dispute has sparked an intense debate across Ghanaian social media platforms, with thousands of users circulating archival photographs of Mrs. Okoh to compare her facial structure with the new engraving. The controversy has raised questions about the haste and accuracy of the currency redesign process. The Bank of Ghana has yet to respond to the allegations.

The new Heritage Series, scheduled to enter circulation on December 1, aims to upgrade security and durability standards that had remained largely unchanged for more than two decades. The central bank has assured that the redesigned notes will coexist with existing legal tender. The controversy has sparked concerns about the importance of accuracy and attention to detail in the design of national symbols.

The incident has highlighted the significance of verifying information and ensuring accuracy in the creation of national symbols. The Bank of Ghana and the government will need to address the concerns raised by the opposition and the public to maintain trust and credibility. The redesign of the currency is a significant development, and it is essential to ensure that it accurately reflects the country's history and heritage.

Key points

• The Bank of Ghana faces criticism over a mistaken identity on the new GH¢50 note, which was supposed to feature Theodosia Salome Okoh, the designer of Ghana's national flag.