Okoh unhappy about attempts to swap her name for Mills on hockey stadium

Designer of the country's flag, Madam Theodosia Okoh, has expressed disappointment at attempts to change her name on the National Hockey Pitch with the late President John Evans Mills.

As part of activities to commemorate the one year anniversary of late Prof. John Evans Atta Mill, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) decided to honour his memory by re-naming the National Hockey Pitch after him.

The Hockey Pitch which is known as the "Thoedosia Okoh Hockey Stadium" would be known as “John Evans Atta Mills Hockey Stadium”, apparently in honour of the memory of Prof Mills' achievements in the sport.

This was announced on Tuesday July 23, 2013, by Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpujie, Mayor of Accra, at a special assembly meeting.

But during a phone interview on Kokrokoo on Peace FM on Thursday, Madam Okoh, said she is unhappy with the announcement.

She said although she was not happy about the news, authorities must not put her name on the hockey stadium again - that is if they change their mind.

Recounting how her name came to be put on the stadium, Madam Theodosia Okoh indicated that due to her love for the sports during her school days at Achimota, she acquired a piece of land at the present location of the stadium from the government at the time to be used as pitch.

She said her immense contribution to the development of the sports earned her the befitting recognition by those who know the history of hockey in Ghana.

Madam Theodosia Okoh, who is now 91 years old, was a former chairperson of the Ghana Hockey Association, a position she held for several years.

Speaking briefly on how she came to design the Ghana flag, she said she saw an advert in the local newspaper calling for a design of the National Flag for the country.

According to her, being an artist, she took interest in the challenge and presented her design, but since then she has not heard anything even though she has been appropriately credited with the creation.