Coat of arms of Ghana
Encyclopedia
The coat of arms of Ghana
, designed by Amon Kotei, was introduced on 4 March 1957 by Elizabeth II. It shows a blue shield, which is divided into four parts by a St George's Cross
with a golden edge. In the middle of the cross there is the golden lion
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
. This symbolizes the close relationship of Ghana to the Commonwealth
and the Kingdom. The first part, on the upper left shows a sword
, known as a okyeame
, which is used at ceremonies
. It is a symbol for the regional governments of Ghana, while the area to the right, which shows a representation of a castle on the sea, the presidential palace in Accra
on the Gulf of Guinea
, symbolizes the national government. The third part of the shield shows a cacao tree, which embodies the agricultural
wealth of Ghana. The fourth and last field - on the lower right - shows a gold mine
, which stands for the richness of natural resources in Ghana. Upon the shield there are beads with the national colors red, green, and gold, which the flag of Ghana
also bears. Above that, there is a black five-pointed star with a golden border, symbol for the freedom of Africa.
Holding the coat of arms are two golden eagles
, which have black stars on a band of the national colors hanging around the neck. They are perched on a motto ribbon, which bears the national motto of Ghana: Freedom and Justice.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, designed by Amon Kotei, was introduced on 4 March 1957 by Elizabeth II. It shows a blue shield, which is divided into four parts by a St George's Cross
St George's Cross
St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. The red cross on white was associated with St George from medieval times....
with a golden edge. In the middle of the cross there is the golden lion
Lion (heraldry)
The lion is a common charge in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises bravery, valour, strength, and royalty, since traditionally, it is regarded as the king of beasts.-Attitudes:...
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. This symbolizes the close relationship of Ghana to the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
and the Kingdom. The first part, on the upper left shows a sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
, known as a okyeame
Okyeame
This magazine was founded in 1961 by The Writers Workshop, with literary organ Okyeame as key in this development. Thought of after the post-independence era in Ghana, which saw the rapid rise of a new generation of thinkers, writers and poets...
, which is used at ceremonies
Ceremony
A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin.-Ceremonial occasions:A ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a human life, marking the significance of, for example:* birth...
. It is a symbol for the regional governments of Ghana, while the area to the right, which shows a representation of a castle on the sea, the presidential palace in Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
on the Gulf of Guinea
Gulf of Guinea
The Gulf of Guinea is the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean between Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia. The intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian is in the gulf....
, symbolizes the national government. The third part of the shield shows a cacao tree, which embodies the agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
wealth of Ghana. The fourth and last field - on the lower right - shows a gold mine
Gold mining
Gold mining is the removal of gold from the ground. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth.-History:...
, which stands for the richness of natural resources in Ghana. Upon the shield there are beads with the national colors red, green, and gold, which the flag of Ghana
Flag of Ghana
The flag of Ghana was designed to replace the flag of the United Kingdom upon attainment of independence in 1957. It was flown until 1959, and then reinstated in 1966. It consists of the Pan-African colours of red, yellow, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black five-pointed star in the...
also bears. Above that, there is a black five-pointed star with a golden border, symbol for the freedom of Africa.
Holding the coat of arms are two golden eagles
Eagle (heraldry)
The eagle is used in heraldry as a charge, as a supporter, and as a crest. Parts of the eagle's body such as its head, wings or leg are also used as a charge or crest....
, which have black stars on a band of the national colors hanging around the neck. They are perched on a motto ribbon, which bears the national motto of Ghana: Freedom and Justice.