Portrait on new GH¢50 note was developed from Theodosia Okoh’s pictures, not her sister’s – BoG

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has dismissed claims that the portrait of Ghana’s national flag designer, Theodosia Salome Okoh, featured on the new GH¢50 Heritage Series banknote, was taken from a photograph of her sister, Dr Letitia Obeng.

The controversy emerged shortly after the unveiling of the new banknotes on Thursday, November 12, when Dr Eddie Obeng, a nephew of Mrs Okoh and son of Dr Letitia Obeng, questioned the identity of the woman depicted on the GH¢50 note.

Dr Obeng, in a LinkedIn post, said the portrait bore a striking resemblance to his mother rather than his aunt, Theodosia Okoh.

His comments triggered public discussions, with several Ghanaians questioning whether the Bank had used the wrong photograph to honour the designer of the national flag.

However, in a press release dated November 13, the Central Bank maintained that the portrait was developed using different photographs of Mrs Okoh.

"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 statement said in part.

The Bank explained that the photographs were used to produce an engraved artistic representation suitable for banknote printing, which required certain modifications to meet technical and security standards.

It disclosed that one of the adjustments involved replacing Mrs Okoh's familiar head-tie with a hairstyle common during the period being depicted.

According to the Bank, the modifications contributed to the perceived differences in her appearance and the resemblance to her sister, which triggered the controversy.

"These adaptations, unfortunately, contributed to the perceived differences in her appearance, and to the image bearing a close likeness to Dr Obeng," the statement acknowledged.

Meanwhile, the GH¢50 note is part of the Bank of Ghana's newly introduced Heritage Series, which was unveiled by President John Dramani Mahama on November 12, 2026.

The new banknotes are expected to enter circulation on December 1, 2026.