Amon Kotei

Nii Amon Kotei (24 May 1915 – 17 October 2011) was a Ghanaian sculptor, painter, musician, surveyor, and graphic artist. He is mostly remembered and celebrated as the designer of the coat of arms of Ghana.[1] He was one of Ghana's leading artists.[2][3]

Amon Kotei
Amon Kotei, designer of the Ghanaian coat of arms
Born(1915-05-24)May 24, 1915
Labadi, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
DiedOctober 17, 2011(2011-10-17) (aged 96)
NationalityGhanaian
EducationAchimota School
Alma materLondon School of Printing and Graphic Art
Known forDesigner of the coat of arms of Ghana

Early life

Kotei was born on 24 May 1915, in a town called Labadi, located in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. He belonged to the Ga ethnic group.

Education and military service

Kotei was awarded 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. During World War II, he served in the Royal West African Frontier Force and worked in the Cartographic Division of the Army drawing maps and plans for soldiers on the front lines.[4]

Notable contributions

His most notable contribution was the creation of Ghana's national coat of arms on 4 March 1957. Kotei was commissioned by the British colonial government to replace the older badge which depicted an Elephant and a Palm tree; two symbols used throughout British West African colonies. After his initial design, under the government's instruction, the coat of arms was sent to the Queen's College of Heraldry for approval.[5]

The Ghanaian coat of arms, found on all government official letter heads, is composed of a shield, divided into four quarters by a green St. George's Cross, rimmed with gold.

Death

Kotei died on 17 October 2011. Following his passing, his contribution to Ghanaian art and heraldry were recognized by the Ghanaian parliament.[6][7]

Awards

He was awarded the State Honour of Grand Medal, Civil Division, for his coat of arms design presented to him on Friday, 7 March 1997, by then-president Jerry Rawlings.[8] He received several other awards.[9][10]

References
  1. "Amon Kotei, Designer of the Ghana Coat Of Arms". Ghanaweb.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  2. "Amon Kotei". Hourglassgallery.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  3. "La Traditional Council Honours Renowned Artist". Ghanamma.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  4. http://blogs.africa-works.com/joseph/2011/10/20/rest-in-peace-amon-kotei/%5B%5D
  5. "National Commission On Culture". 2011-07-23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  6. "Parliament pays tribute to Amon Kotei". ModernGhana.com. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  7. "Parliament Pays Tribute To Amon Kotei". Ghana.gov.gh. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  8. "95 years Amon Kotei Honoured". newswatchmedia.blogspot.com. 19 December 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  9. "Veep, Parliament Eulogise Amon Kotey | The Ghanaian Times". Newtimes.com.gh. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  10. "National Commission On Culture". Ghanaculture.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
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