How the woman on the 50 pesewas coin financed Kwame Nkrumah to win legislative council seat

Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey remains one of the most remarkable, yet often overlooked figures in Ghana’s struggle for independence.

Born around 1923 at Osu and raised in Jamestown in Accra, Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey came from a family with roots in Ga Asere and Osu.

She later grew to become a pioneering businesswoman and a formidable political activist whose influence played a crucial role in the country’s liberation movement.

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Popularly known as “Ashikishan,” a name associated with flour, Aryeetey built a thriving flour business, which she turned into a powerful platform to support political activities.

Her financial strength and unwavering commitment to the independence struggle earned her recognition as the chief financier of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

Aryeetey was a staunch supporter of Ghana’s First President, Kwame Nkrumah, and used her resources to support the party’s campaigns and operations at a time when political mobilisation required significant personal sacrifices.

As an active member of the CPP, she hosted and led women’s political activities at her residence at Kokomlemle in Accra, turning her home into a hub for party mobilisation and strategy.

Her contributions went beyond organising women in the party. Aryeetey reportedly financed Nkrumah’s campaign for the Ashiedu Keteke seat in the Legislative Council, a victory that became a significant step in Nkrumah’s political rise and eventually paved the way for him to become the first Prime Minister of Ghana.

Through her financial support and activism, she played a pivotal role in strengthening the CPP’s political fortunes during the crucial years leading to Ghana’s independence.

However, her close association with Nkrumah and the CPP also made her a target for rival political factions during the heated political climate of the time.

Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey died on June 22, 1961, at the age of 38, during a CPP function in Ho.

It was alleged that she had been poisoned after drinking hot tea at the event when she later complained of severe stomach pains.

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Despite her short life, Aryeetey’s impact on Ghana’s political history remains significant.

Her legacy continues to be recognised nationally, with her image featured on Ghana’s 50 pesewa coin as a tribute to her contributions to the country’s independence struggle.

MAG/AE

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