Amon Kotei Explained

Amon Kotei
Birth Date:24 May 1915
Birth Place:Labadi, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Nationality:Ghanaian
Education:Achimota School
Alma Mater:London School of Printing and Graphic Art
Known For:Designer of the coat of arms of Ghana

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]

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.

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amon Kotei, Designer of the Ghana Coat Of Arms . Ghanaweb.com . 20 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120529070447/http://ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/people/person.php?ID=191 . 29 May 2012 . live .
  2. Web site: Amon Kotei . Hourglassgallery.com . 20 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120226155624/http://www.hourglassgallery.com/web_pages/koteipage.htm . 26 February 2012 .
  3. Web site: La Traditional Council Honours Renowned Artist . Ghanamma.com . 20 September 2012 . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830170327/https://www.ghanamma.com/2010/12/20/la-traditional-council-honours-renowned-artist/ . live .
  4. http://blogs.africa-works.com/joseph/2011/10/20/rest-in-peace-amon-kotei/{{Dead link|date=March 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  5. Web site: 2011-07-23. National Commission On Culture. 2021-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20110723085735/http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=65&archiveid=519&page=1&adate=06/03/2007. 2011-07-23.
  6. Web site: Parliament pays tribute to Amon Kotei . ModernGhana.com . 16 December 2011 . 20 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111555/http://www.modernghana.com/news/367331/1/parliament-pays-tribute-to-amon-kotei.html . 4 March 2016 . live .
  7. Web site: Parliament Pays Tribute To Amon Kotei . Ghana.gov.gh . 14 December 2011 . 20 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224627/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/9761-parliament-pays-tribute-to-amon-kotei . 3 March 2016 . live .
  8. Web site: 19 December 2010 . 95 years Amon Kotei Honoured . https://archive.today/20121128033627/http://newswatchmedia.blogspot.de/2010/12/man-behind-coat-of-arms-honored.html . 28 November 2012 . 20 September 2012 . newswatchmedia.blogspot.com.
  9. Web site: Veep, Parliament Eulogise Amon Kotey | The Ghanaian Times . Newtimes.com.gh . 20 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121031035808/http://newtimes.com.gh/story/veep-parliament-eulogise-amon-kotey . 31 October 2012 .
  10. Web site: National Commission On Culture . Ghanaculture.gov.gh . 20 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161227061116/http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=65&archiveid=970&page=1&adate=5%20March%202007 . 27 December 2016 . dead .

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