Designer of the flag
Theodosia Okoh
She drew the Black Star flag — then built Ghanaian hockey from scratch.
Born Theodosia Salome Abena Kumea Asihene in 1922 in Anum, she trained as an artist at Achimota School. When independence approached in 1957, her design — red for sacrifice, gold for mineral wealth, green for forests, centred with the Black Star of African freedom — was chosen as the national flag, reportedly at Nkrumah’s personal admiration.
Sport was her second canvas. She became chair of the Ghana Hockey Association, funded teams from her own pocket, and is credited almost single-handedly with establishing hockey in Ghana — the national stadium’s hockey pitch in Accra is named in her honour.
She died in 2015 aged 92, mourned nationally, and was given a state-assisted burial. Every flag raised at Black Star Square, every Black Stars jersey, carries her lines.
Key facts
- Born 1922, Anum; died 2015, Tema.
- Designed Ghana’s national flag, adopted 6 March 1957.
- Flag symbolism: red sacrifice, gold wealth, green forests, Black Star freedom.
- Built Ghana hockey as association chair; Accra hockey stadium named for her.
- State-assisted burial in recognition of national service.
Put the story in context: explore the History of Ghana to see the eras Theodosia Okoh helped shape.
Theodosia Okoh FAQs
Who designed Ghana’s flag?
Theodosia Okoh — her red-gold-green design with the centred Black Star was adopted at independence on 6 March 1957.
What do the colours of Ghana’s flag mean?
Red for the blood of the struggle, gold for mineral wealth, green for forests and farms — with the Black Star honouring African freedom.
What else is Theodosia Okoh known for?
Leading Ghana hockey for decades as association chair, funding the sport personally — the Accra hockey stadium bears her name.
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