Ghanaian history has always been about the political affairs of the country.
The history curriculum in schools has therefore been flooded with issues regarding the attainment of independence, the pre-colonial era and notable political leaders of the country.
Only a few notable personalities are being discussed in the history books of Ghana. One can make mention of the likes of Madam Theodosia Okoh, designer of the Ghana Flag and Philip Gbeho, composer of the national anthem.
However, one very important person that seems to have been lost in the Ghanaian history books is Mr. Amon Kotei, designer of Ghana’s Coat of Arms.
Kotei was born on 24 May 1915, at La, near Accra, and belonged to the Ga tribe and trained as a surveyor. He was a distinguished artist and designed the National Coat of Arms on 4 March 1957.
He was commissioned to do the design by Ghana’s first President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the then-British colonial administration as independence drew near in 1957.
He studied under a scholarship at Achimota School and later received a scholarship to study art at the London School of Printing and Graphic Art from 1949 to 1952.
He also fought for the Royal West African Frontier Force during World War II. and also worked in the Cartographic Division of the Army. He drew maps and plans for use by soldiers on the war front.[7] He also taught in Achimota School.
He was awarded the State Honour of Grand Medal, Civil Division, Coat of Arms Design presented to him on Friday, 7 March 1997, by then-president Jerry Rawlings.[8] He received several other awards.
He died on 17 October 2011, after which the parliament of Ghana paid tribute to him.