Ghana

Ghana
Adopted	March 6, 1957
Designed by	Theodosia Okoh
Proportions	2:3

The flag of Ghana consists of three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centred in the yellow band.

The flag is similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centred in the yellow band.

Symbolism

The flag consists of the Pan-African colours of Ethiopia. The Ghanaian flag was the first African flag after the flag of Ethiopia to feature these colours.

• The colour red represents the blood of those who died in the country's struggle for independence.
• Gold stands for the minerals wealth.
• Green symbolizes the rich forest.
• The star represents the lodestar of African freedom.

Other national flags

Civil ensign

Naval ensign

Civil air ensign

Air force ensign

History

Prior to independence the territory of the Contemporary Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and was a British colony. Its flag was the same as one of the Gambia and Sierra Leone but had initials "G.C." instead of "G." or "S.L."

The flag was designed to replace the flag of the United Kingdom upon attainment of independence in 1957.

In 1959-1962 Ghana was member of the Union of African States, whose flag based on the one of Ghana but had three stars to represent its members (Ghana, Guinea, and Mali).

During single-party rule imposed by President Nkrumah in 1964 (overthrown in 1966) Ghana used a flag with white band instead of yellow one.

Gold Coast, till 1957

Union of African States, 1959-1962

Ghana, 1964-1966