Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has provided information indicating that the colours used in the Ghana flag originate from Ethiopia.
The late Theodosia Salomey Okoh is credited with creating the recognizable Red-Yellow-Green with Black Star flag of Ghana, therefore whenever her name is spoken, the Ghana flag immediately comes to mind.
The explanations for the choice of colours for the Ghanaian flag are given as the
Red- signifying the blood and toil of our fathers who fought for independence for the country.
Gold-being the minerals and other extractive resources, the country can boast of.
Green- signifying the green vegetative cover of the country. Black- is the centre of Hope for the Ghanaian people.
But according to Mr Simons, in 1798, the tricolours (red-gold-green) heraldic banner of the old Abyssinian kings became the triangular pennant flag of the Empire of Ethiopia. At that time, the red was on top and the green was at the bottom.
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— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) April 30, 2023
In fact, Ethiopia itself has changed its flag several times over the course of history. The latest one was *designed* by Abebe Alambo. BUT all the versions take their inspiration from the original Tricolor. Likewise, the "black star" in Ghana's flag was inspired by Garvey. pic.twitter.com/JSAGV05tB7
“The Mighty Menelik II, flush with victory after Adowa, converted the pennant into a rectangular flag in 1897, with the green still at the bottom and red remaining on top.
“But following an interregnum that will see the rises of Ras Tafari (Haile Salassie I) as Negus Nagast (king of kings), we see by 1914 a sudden change of colours. The green has risen to the top and the red demoted!” he wrote.
In Bright Simons’ submission, the reinvented flag by the of the Haile Selassie became known as the ‘pan African’ flag in the era when African leaders such as Nkrumah and the emperor himself, were fighting for a one African state.
“In fact, Ethiopia itself has changed its flag several times over the course of history. The latest one was ‘designed’ by Abebe Alambo. BUT all the versions take their inspiration from the original Tri-colours. Likewise, the “black star” in Ghana’s flag was inspired by Garvey.”
“Ghana, however, reverted to the Menelik design when it also chose the Abyssinian tricolour standard for its national flag,” he added.
He revealed the meaning behind the colours used.
Green represents fertility and natural abundance; Yellow represents hope; Red represents blood of the martyrs and Golden Pentagram stands for unity in diversity.