Kweku Mintim-Sintim, popularly known as KSM, a veteran Ghanaian satirist and political commentator, has fired shots at the Bank of Ghana(BoG) following the alleged use of a wrong portrait of Theodosia Okoh on the newly unveiled GH¢50 note.
According to KSM, he was excited about the government’s decision to honour individuals such as Theodosia Okoh for their contributions to Ghana.
However, KSM expressed dissatisfaction over the portrait used on the banknote, describing the situation as shameful and quizzing how the team responsible for the currency redesign failed to identify the error.
Speaking on the KSM Show, Kweku Mintim-Sintim stated, “I am very, very happy that the decision was made to actually commend people like Theodosia Okoh, who designed the Ghana flag. I think it was a terrific idea”.
“But you know what I’m going to say? I also think it’s a shame that the image was wrong. It’s a very, very sad shame. Look, these things must be prevented. My goodness, I’m trying to imagine the number of experts and the team that were put together to develop this new currency, yet nobody picked up the fact that they had the wrong image,” he noted.
According to KSM, he is only praying that the banknotes unveiled by the BoG were only sample printouts, adding that in the final version, the error must be corrected.
“Really, I don’t know what to say except that I’m praying what we have seen was just printouts of how it would look, and I’m hoping we have not actually printed the final version of the currency. In the final version, this must be corrected because it is a very, very, very damn shame to get the picture wrong at that level,” he added.
Meanwhile, 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”.
Watch the video 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
