Creators Of Ghana's Identity

Mrs. Theodora Salome Okoh 1922- Present.

The Designer of the Ghana Flag

There was an Ad in the local newspaper calling for a design of the National Flag for Ghana.

"The Flag should be original and must have motifs the many nationals can identify with".

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.

Mr. Amon Kotei. 1915 - Present

The Designer of the Ghana Coat Of Arms

As Independence Day drew near, the need for a coat of arms distinct from that o the imperial power - Great Britain, became acutely felt. To give a distinctive local flavor to the work, a Ghanaian working with the Government Printer was asked to put up a sketch for consideration. For his motives, Mr. Amon Kotei had the elephant and palm tree  I suggested the use of the Eagle because I had read over and over again of the famous Eagle and the Chick story. After months of hard work Mr. Amon Kotei finally completed the drawing. When he compared it to other Coats of Arms, he was convinced that it was one of the best, a view shared by Cpt. Hamilton, The British officer who liaised between him and the Osu, Castle. It was approved with any hesitations

Mr. Emmanuel Pappoe-Thompson 1906 - 1992

Wrote The Lyrics Of The First National Anthem On March 6'th 1957, before a crowd of over 100,000 at the Old polo Grounds, the Ghana National Anthem was officially played for the first time. The Author of these new lyrics was Mr. Emmanuel Pappoe-Thompson, an Educationist and renowned musician. A few line of the Anthem was contributed by Mr. Tettey Lartey.

This was written by a literary committee commissioned by the new Government. After the country's attainment of a Republic status in 1960, invitations went out again for new lyrics for the Anthem to reflect the new status. The challenge to nation's musicologist and educationists alike was welcomed with patriotic zeal and numerous submissions were made. A new piece of lyrics was then adopted and since became the National Anthem.

Mr. Philip Comi Gbeho - 1904 -1976

The Composer Of The Current Ghana National Anthem

The music for the new anthem which replaced God Bless The Queen which hitherto had been the country's anthem was written by Mr. Philip Comi Gbeho. His piece was one of the many entries that had been presented to the National Anthem Selection Committee. For unexplained reasons, the government discarded the original lyrics by Mr. Gbeho's. It and replaced by one written by the commissioned literary committee. It was these lyrics that Mr. Gbeho went with as the National Anthem on the March 6'th 1957.

Kofi Antubam 1922 - 64

Designer of the Ghana Mace and the Seat of State
Kofi Antubam was part of a remarkable generation of dreamers and nation builders who developed the cultural identity of Ghana.

The Ghana Mace, the symbol of authority of Parliament, is made up of various Ghanaian traditional symbols. The flying eagle symbolizes the State of Ghana. The Kontonhirowi is the common responsibility all Ghanaians have towards the nation. The Nyamedtia and Gye - Nyame symbolize the nation's belief in God, the recognition of his omnipotence and omni- presence. The Mbaadwa and Dwanimmen represent the strength of both the male and female sexes that inhabit the land The imperishability and perpetuity of the Slate is symbolized in the Hye-wo-nhye and the Kudu-Pono, while our love for freedom and justice is represented by the Binkabi. Every Ghanaian must take pride in his motherland; that is what the Kiintiinkantan symbolizes and counsels

The Seat of State is equally made up of symbols taken from traditional Ghanaian stool symbolism. The crescent (or the Osramfa) which forms the actual seat symbolizes the influence of feminine disposition and nature on the well-being of the society and State. The egg- shaped or oval shape (Okosuasii) which forms the back-rest symbolizes perfection in all that is beautiful in the existence of the society. Kontonhirowi (the rainbow) on which the seat rests symbolizes the sharing of the responsibility for the prosperity and well-being of the State. The Kimtun-Kantiin or Amimhvnrom (the bow-legged) directly under the rainbow symbolizes all that comes under detestable pride in the collective attitude of society or state. The Aborobe (the pineapple) done in gold and black line in front of an oval back-rest symbolize the sovereignty of the state. At the back-rest is the Dadebene or Aholcerawo which, upon critical examination, reveals two large crescent moons, meeting at top and bottom, to represent the idea of the existence of female beauty in the society. The square at the centre symbolizes the male power in society, whilst the circle represents God's presence in the society. That the State of Ghana is supreme over individual ethnic states is emphasized by the Black Star of Ghana (Ghana Soroma-bire}. The five-sided figure of the Black Star symbolizes old age and dignity; telling all citizens that Ghana may be young, but as a people, Ghanaians are old. The zigzag symbol used on the arm-rest and as a border in the oval shaped back-rest counsels the occupants of the seat on the exercise of prudence and diplomacy in all their dealings. The Akosane — the wheel-like symbol set towards either end of the front of the base, is the Ghanaian symbol of reincarnation. The border symbol ofKerepa wishes any- one on the chair good fortune. The Chair of State which is at the Osu Castle , has six significant parts The top-rest of a Black Star and two eagles represents the nation, Ghana The five-sided geometric figure at the centre of the star called Ananum symbolizes the old age of Ghana . The back- rest consists of an Adinkerahene, a traditional Ghanaian three-circled symbol of sovereignty and a Kerepa, the symbol of good fortune. The box-like seat has a red cushion bearing a black Nkyinkyin symbol of selfless service. The red color stands for youthful life and vigor The rectangular hand rests represent Mbensu and bear on the sides a frieze of zigzag motif called 0\vu-Koforo-Adobe, symbolizing the exercise of wisdom or prudence. This symbol appears on the sides of the chair as a way of re- emphasizing the importance of the fact that the Head of State must be an embodiment of the qualities of wisdom The side-stands of the seat which has the form of dome symbolize God's grace The footstool or rest bears on the front of it a Fihankera the symbol of a perfect house