Ghanaian businesswoman, political activist and feminist Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey (also known as Dedei Ashikishan) lived from 1923 to 22 June 1961. She was well known in Accra for running a flour company. She is also depicted on Ghana's 50 Pesewas coin.
After completing her primary education, Naa Dei began to work in the flour industry. She acquired so much wealth and influence through her flour business that she was given the name "Ashikishan", which is a Ga word for flour.
She was known as the main financier of the then CPP, and for organising women's events at her home in Kokomlemle, Accra. As a CPP political activist who supported Nkrumah and the party, she played a crucial role in Ghana's struggle for independence.
Everyone who wants to be on a national currency must put in a lot of effort and achieve a lot, but women in a world where men predominately rule need to do even more.
Many people have seen the picture on the 50 pesewas coin, but many are unaware of how she obtained that position.
There is relatively little historical documentation of women leading and supporting the struggle for independence and self-rule in Ghana.
Yaa Asantewaa is one of a select group of women who have benefited from Ghana's history, if not the only one. You are probably already familiar with the 50 pesewas coin and the double-decker buses that have recently come to be known as the Auntie Dedei bus, but who is this woman and why does she even deserve a spot on a national currency?
Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, also known as Dedei Ashikishan, or "flour," was a political activist, a devoted feminist, and the Convention People's Party's principal financier under Kwame Nkrumah at the time (CPP).
In 1923, Rebecca Dedei Aryeetey was born. She was the firstborn girl child, as indicated by her traditional name, and has been referred to in numerous articles as an entrepreneur without equal.
She allegedly grew up in the James Town neighbourhood of the Ghanaian capital and entered the flour industry right out of elementary school.
Around the age of 30, she had gained notoriety for her achievements in the flour industry and had earned the title "Flour Queen" while serving as the president of the Market Women Association.
She ran and sponsored the CPP's first electoral campaign for Kwame Nkrumah, helping him win the Ashiedu Keteke seat in the house of legislature, which was thought to be the epicentre of the Ga-Dangme Confederacy.
Many political historians have hinted that Mr. Nkrumah would never have been Prime Minister of Ghana if he had lost the seat.
When Mr. Nkrumah was freed from prison in 1951, Gbedemah had organised the market women to serve as the CPP in Accra's foundation. Naa Dedei was the pack's alpha dog.
Naa Dedei made significant financial contributions to the CPP. She grew in stature by consistently making contributions.
Her proximity to Mr. Nkrumah made her a target for rival political parties and the colonial authority. According to historical reports, she travelled with Mr. Nkrumah to a CPP party event in Ho. After receiving meals, she later complained of stomach aches.
It was alleged that she passed away after contracting food poisoning. Several historians have characterised her as a genuine patriot who supported Mr. Nkrumah's battle against her own ancestor Odarkwei Obetsebi-Lamptey.
She may not be recognised adequately as a contributor to Ghana's freedom because so few people are aware of what she did to help the country gain its independence.
On 1st July 2007, the Cedi (₲) was redenominated to the GH (¢), such that ₲10,000.00 was equivalent GH¢ 1.00. The redenomination did not affect the intrinsic value of the currency.
For the redenomination, the Central Bank provided two justifications. As a result, maintaining accounting and statistical records is becoming more complex, and software used for processing accounting data is having issues.
As a result of this development, a new 50 pesewas coin entered circulation with Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeety as its face.