Meet Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, also known as “Ashikishan,” the woman featured on Ghana’s 50 pesewas coin. Born in 1923 in Osu, Ghana, she was raised in James Town, Accra. She rose to prominence in the flour business, earning her the nickname “Ashikishan,” derived from the Ga word for flour.
By age 30, she had become popular in the flour business, winning the title “Flour Queen” and leading the Market Women Association. Her success went beyond business, as she became a key financier of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and a close ally of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Naa Dedei’s contributions to Ghana's independence cannot be overstated. She funded Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s first political campaign, which saw him win the Ashiedu Keteke legislative council seat, defeating her own kinsman Odarkwei Obetsebi-Lamptey in the 1951 Gold Coast legislative election. This victory paved the way for Nkrumah’s rise to become Ghana’s first Prime Minister.
As a leading figure in the CPP, Naa Dedei mobilized market women and provided financial support to the party. She even led CPP women activities at her house in Kokomlemle, solidifying her role as a key player in the party. Her influence and closeness to Nkrumah made her a target for rival political parties and the colonial government.
Tragedy struck when Naa Dedei attended a CPP function in Ho, where she allegedly suffered food poisoning after consuming hot tea. She complained of stomach pains and sadly passed away at the age of 38. Her untimely death was a shock to the nation, and her legacy as a true nationalist and campaigner for independence was cemented.
Today, Naa Dedei’s image appears on Ghana’s 50 pesewas coin and a national stamp. The iconic double-decker buses, brought to Accra by Harry Sawyer, were named “Auntie Dedei” in her honor. Despite her pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s history, particularly in supporting Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s early political endeavors, many Ghanaians remain unaware of her remarkable story.
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