Controversy has erupted over the newly unveiled GH₵50 banknote, with claims that the portrait on it does not depict Theodosia Salome Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.
The note forms part of the Bank of Ghana’s new Heritage Series, unveiled on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by President John Mahama and Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Johnson Asiama, at Bank Square in Accra.
According to the Central Bank, the GH₵50 note is dedicated to Mrs Okoh, who designed Ghana’s red, gold and green flag with the black star in 1957, and represents the theme of nationalism.
However, questions about the identity of the woman depicted on the note emerged shortly after its unveiling, with allegations that the portrait is actually that of Mrs Okoh’s sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.
The allegation was first raised prominently by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin at a press conference on Thursday evening, where he accused the government of rushing the currency redesign in an attempt to erase the Big Six from Ghana’s history.
He said the haste had resulted in what he described as a serious error on the GH₵50 note.
“In fact, they were in haste to erase the Big Six from our currency and our history. Out of that haste and hate, we saw them adorning a new fifty-cedi note bearing the name of Theodosia Okoh, but they got her picture wrong and placed on the GH₵50 note a different face,” he said.
His comments triggered widespread debate on social media, with users comparing the portrait to photographs of Mrs Okoh.
Family member says portrait is of his mother
The controversy gained further attention when Dr Eddie Obeng, a supposed nephew of Mrs Okoh and son of Dr Letitia Obeng, publicly disputed the identity of the woman on the note.
In a LinkedIn post, Dr Obeng said he was initially delighted to learn that his aunt had been honoured in the new currency series. However, he said he was surprised to discover that the portrait appeared to be that of his mother.
Accompanying his post with images of the front and back of the new GH₵50 note, he wrote:
“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 banknotes issued 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.”
Dr Obeng identified the woman in the portrait as his mother, Dr Letitia Obeng, a pioneering Ghanaian scientist and the first Ghanaian woman to earn a PhD.
His intervention has added weight to the allegations, particularly because of his direct family connection to both women. His post has since attracted widespread attention, with many social media users citing it as further evidence that the wrong portrait may have been used.
The claims have, however, been challenged by a clarification attributed to Beatrice Annan, a member of the Bank of Ghana board and a Presidential Staffer, which has been circulating on social media.
Bank official offers explanation
In a post on her Facebook page on Thursday, Ms Annan said the portrait was an engraved artistic impression of Mrs Okoh, developed from three authentic photographs of her.
She explained that the photographs, two from Mrs Okoh’s younger years and another from later life, were combined to produce an image depicting her as a mature woman. Her hairstyle was also adjusted to achieve a clear outline suitable for engraving.
“The Bank of Ghana has noted discussions on social media about the portrait of Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh, designer of Ghana’s national flag, on the new GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote,” she wrote.
She further explained that banknote portraits differ from ordinary photographs because they must meet specific technical requirements for printing, engraving and the incorporation of security features.
“A banknote portrait is not an ordinary photograph. It is an engraved artistic rendering created to meet the strict technical requirements of banknote printing. It must be sharp, well lit and rich in fine detail so that it can be engraved, reproduced in raised print and incorporate the security features that protect the note against counterfeiting,” she stated.
Ms Annan added that the Bank was engaging Mrs Okoh’s family to explain the process involved in developing the portrait and resolve the concerns.
“The aim throughout was to produce a bold, clear and dignified image worthy of her place in our history. The result is the portrait featured on the GH₵50 Heritage Series banknote. The Bank is engaging her family to explain the careful work that went into creating the portrait and resolve the issue,” she said.
The response has been questioned
Despite Ms Annan’s explanation, the controversy has raised questions about the Bank of Ghana’s official position on the matter.
Several hours after her Facebook post, the Central Bank had not published a corresponding statement on its official communication platforms or issued a direct response to the allegations by Mr Afenyo-Markin and Dr Obeng.
This has prompted questions about whether Ms Annan’s clarification represents her personal explanation or an officially authorised position of the Bank.
Some social media users have also questioned why a matter concerning the integrity of a newly issued national currency was addressed through the personal Facebook page of a Bank official rather than the institution’s established communication channels.
With the dispute now involving both political figures and members of Mrs Okoh’s family, attention is turning to the Bank of Ghana for an authoritative explanation of how the portrait was selected and whether it accurately represents the woman whose contribution to Ghana’s national identity the note seeks to honour.