Ghana’s Coat Of Arms

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GHANA’S COAT OF ARMS IN RELATION TO OUR IDENTITY AS A PEOPLE

On the 4th of March 1957, one of Ghana’s most important symbols, the coat of arms was out-doored. The need for the coat of arms was felt as the country’s independence drew nearer. Mr. Amon Kotei, a gifted artist with a state-printer was commissioned to design one.

According to sources, he worked hard, so hard, that the artwork was accepted as one of the best without hesitation. One would not err at all to claim that Ghana’s coat of arms is rich in symbolism and in actual fact, conveys the story of who we are, where we have come from and where we are heading.

As we commemorate 63 years of our independence from imperial rule, the coat of arms alone is able to help us take a retrospective account of our achievements vis a vis the vision of our forebears. Planted on our cherished motto: Freedom and Justice, the coat of arms which depicts the values that identify all Ghanaians from every tribe and tongue as one people deserving equal rights, is a shield with which we should resist every form of oppression and dangers to our long-cherished peace.

The shield is divided into four partitions by a green Saint George’s cross. St. George was an English Christian Martyr who in the 13th century, stood for martial valour and selflessness. He was killed for refusing to recant his faith and the cross which used to be the crusaders symbol became associated with him.

Instead of the colour red, Mr.Amon Kotei gave the cross the green colour, obviously, to depict Ghana’s rich vegetation and convey a sense of freshness to Ghanaians at all times. Again the cross is rimmed with gold and has at its centre, a golden lion, representing Ghana’s close ties with Britain or the Commonwealth of nations. The lion comes as a symbol of British pride and might.

On the top left of the shield are a sword and a staff, representing traditional authority which persists today in the face of modernity and urbanization. At par and top right, is the castle on the gulf of Guinea representing national government though today moved to the jubilee house, still remains the symbol of government. A cocoa tree – producing Ghana’s major export crop stands at the lower left of the shield.

Thankfully, Ghana is rated the second largest producer of cocoa after La Cote D’Ivoire in a statistics of world cocoa production by 2018/2019. On the right bottom is a mine field boasting of our mineral resources. Holding the shield in place are two mighty eagles decorated with the order of the star of Volta, symbolizing honour for a people with clear vision who uphold the values represented in the shield.

On top of the shield is the black star of Africa on a red, yellow and green wreath, proclaiming freedom to the rest of Africa as Ghana set the pace for liberation from Britain a couple of days later.

The coat of arms is Ghana’s official seal on government letterhead and used mostly by state-owned portals. It is indeed worth celebrating and should be adapted into various creations for Ghanaians to own because it tells the story of our identity in full.

After 63 years, of its existence, Ghana doffs out its hat to Mr. Amon Kotei of blessed memory, and calls on all citizens and lovers of Ghana to rise in celebration of a great artwork.

BY GIFTY TAYVIAH-AGORDOME, A JOURNALIST.