The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has rejected claims that the portrait of the late Mrs Theodosia Okoh on the new GH¢50 Heritage Series banknote was taken from a photograph of her sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.
According to the BoG, the image was developed from different photographs of Mrs Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.
The Central Bank clarified that the photo underwent artistic adjustments to meet the technical and security requirements of currency production.
BoG argued that changes made during the engraving process, including replacing Mrs Okoh’s familiar head tie with a hairstyle common during the period, had contributed to the differences in her appearance.
The Central Bank admitted that the alterations had resulted in the portrait bearing a close resemblance to Dr Obeng; however maintained that the portrait was intended to recognise Mrs Okoh’s contribution to Ghana’s national identity.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, the bank wrote, “The Bank of Ghana wishes to clarify concerns raised regarding the portrait of Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh, designer of Ghana’s national flag, featured on the new GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote.
The Bank confirms that the portrait was developed from different photographs of Mrs Okoh, and not from a photograph of her sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.
The photographs were used to create an engraved artistic representation suitable for banknote printing. During this process, certain adjustments, including the replacement of Mrs Okoh’s familiar head-tie with a hairstyle common during that period, were made to meet the technical and security requirements of currency production. These adaptations, unfortunately, contributed to the perceived differences in her appearance, and to the image bearing a close likeness to Dr Obeng.
The Bank appreciates the family’s constructive engagement and the public’s interest in preserving Ghana’s national heritage.
The Bank reaffirms that the portrait is intended to honour Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh and her invaluable contribution to Ghana’s national identity. The Bank is committed to ensuring that the distinguished personalities featured on Ghana’s currency are represented with dignity and respect.
The Heritage Series banknotes will enter circulation on 1 December 2026”.
The controversy stems from claims that a wrong image of Theodosia Okoh was used on Ghana’s new GH¢50 note, which has sparked questions about the selection and accuracy of the portrait, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin leading the charge, raising concerns about the image used on the new currency note.
The Minority Leader questioned the government’s diligence in selecting the image, contending that the alleged error raised concerns about its ability to manage the country’s economy.
Afenyo-Markin slammed the government for rushing to remove the images of the Big Six from Ghana’s currency, resulting in a mistake in representing Theodosia Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.
Addressing journalists after the presentation of the 2027 budget, Afenyo-Markin stated, “They were in haste to erase the Big Six from our currency and our history. Out of that haste and hate, we saw them outdooring a note bearing the name of Theodosia Okoh, but they got her picture wrong and placed a different face on the GH¢50 note,” he said.
“So a whole government machinery that cannot be diligent enough to get the right picture to put on our currency, how can we trust them with our economy? Can we trust them to put money in our pockets?” he asked.
Also, the Minority allegation was corroborated by Dr Eddie Obeng MBA, who said Theodosia Okkoh was his mother’s sister.
According to a post on LinkedIn by Dr Eddie Obeng accompanied by front and back images of the new GH₵50 note, he revealed that he had been proud to hear his aunt had been honoured, only to realise the face on the note was not hers, but rather his mother’s.
“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,” he wrote.
See the statement below:
Former Black Stars captain Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew has arrived at Transition Funeral Home to pay his last respects to the late father of Thomas Partey #GHNow https://t.co/eWB063XjdO
— GHnow (@ghnow_) November 13, 2026
