By OGBE, PATRICK ADAOFUOYI

From time immemorial, women-or the female gender, have played very, very pivotal and vital roles in existence on planet earth. Even amongst animals, the female specie of nearly all the animals in existence, have vital, contributory roles to play, such that without the female gender, life-and indeed existence, will be un-holistic. It is no doubt, in recognition as well as, out of immense respect for women, and the female specie-amongst mankind, and indeed amongst animals, that a particular renown philosopher once cited: “The most precious thing on the surface of the earth, is Man. After Man, the next most precious things on earth, are Women….”

This soul-stirring anecdote about women, or the female gender, is a tell-tale revelation into the integral importance of women among mankind, from time past, to contemporary, modern day times. In contemporary times, in the world in which we are living, women-or the female gender, have become so important, and virtually indispensable to life-here on earth, such that without women, and without the female gender, existence, definitely, would be ‘un-wholesome’.

Someone, has also pointed out, philosophically that: “Twenty-four (24) hours make one day. Of these said twenty-four (24) hours which make up each day; the sun takes up to twelve (12) hours of each day, while the moon and the stars, take up the remaining twelve (12) hours of the evenings and night times. If men were to be likened to the sun of each day; women-definitely, will be likened to the moon and twinkling stars which make up the nocturnal part of the remaining part of each (24 hours) day.”

In present day times, women have accomplished much in virtually all the fields, trades, and professions that abound in the whole wide world, such that their contributions to the greatness of each nation and continent, around the globe, is un-deniable. Whether it is in the field of Arts and Humanities, whether it is in the awing modern day field of Science, Technology and Innovation, whether such women are Christians or Muslims-or other-wise, whether such women are white, or black, or fair-complexioned-or other-wise, whether such women are still alive, or deceased; the female gender have contributed immensely to the greatness of each nation and profession, such that, nowadays, anyone cannot categorically say that the world is any longer, an all men’s affair. Even in certain professions, like the military, sports, and politics, that appears to be a predominantly all-men profession; women-in contemporary times, have been etching their foot-prints in the sands of time, by astoundingly excelling and achieving rare feats and attainments, as their male counterparts. It is in alignment of the un-deniable, and glaring truth that women, over the years and decades gone by, have “authored” some very rare feats and very peculiar accomplishments, in virtually all endeavors-in Africa, as their male counterparts, that one is here-in, advocating for honor to be accorded women, by having the images and embossed portraits dot some of the currency notes, that make up the legal tenders of the nations scattered across Africa.

There are, incidentally, a few nations across the globe, that have accorded women this said honor, that is, by having the image(s) and pictures of certain women of repute, embossed on the currency notes, and or coins of such nations. Great Britain, is an un-apologetic example, in times past, for many, many years, and indeed decades. As many are already aware of; the image and embossed pictures of Queen Elizabeth 11 (the second), dotted most of Great Britain’s currency notes and coins, for many, many years, while the said revered, now deceased Queen, served as Queen of England.

Also, other countries abound which have legal tender-in form of money-dotting the image(s) and likenesses of prominent women achievers in such a nation, or society. According to study and statistics, Australia-as a nation, leads the way with five women featured on their banknotes, followed by Sweden and Scotland, with four each. The Czech Republic, Colombia, and Denmark are the only ones that have achieved gender parity on their banknotes, with women’s faces making up at least 50% of the total faces featured. Seemingly, a small handful of countries stand out when it comes to female representation on global currency notes denominations. Of all such nations, like already mentioned, Australia, is the only nation that has women on every one of their currently issued banknotes. (Year 2024/2025 statistics). Scandinavian countries, follow suit too in this praise-worthy practice.

Other countries like Mexico, Phillippines, Argentina, Turkiye, Syria, Isreal, Ukraine, South Korea, Haiti, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Norway, Serbia, and Tunisia, etcetera, have legal tender (money), that accord women, “relative space” on the currency notes, (and coins) of their individual nations.

In the continent of Africa however, and particularly in the coast of West Africa; the reality of women’s images on money, remains an issue of “little space”, marginalization by the men achievers in the continent, and an issue of glaring, noticeable avoidance of having the images of renown women-or Amazons, dotting different parts of the array of the currency notes denominations which Africa has to parade. A critical study, or examination of some of the currency notes which Africa has to parade, shows that only a few, out of the 54 African countries, featured a woman, on one or more of their legal tenders (currency notes). They include Malawi’s Rose Lomathinda Chibambo, Nigeria’s Ladi Kwali (on the back-side of Nigeria’s #20 currency note denomination), and Tunisia’s Tawhida Ben Cheikh.

This is the basis where-by, one is advocating for the review of this act of glaring marginalization against the female gender in the continent of Africa. In Africa today, in all the 54 countries that make up the continent, in every state and community; women, or female achievers have emerged, and abound in virtually all sectors, field of endeavors and professions, such that women deserve to have some of the image(s) on the money of their individual nations of origin.

As at year 2025; the accomplishments, as well as peculiar achievements of women in different trades and professions, in Africa, have become so apparent-and glaringly-such that the honor that is been accorded many men, on the currency note denominations of Africa, is an honor, that women in Africa, should also be in every state and community; women, or female achievers have emerged, and abound in virtually all sectors, field of endeavors and professions, such that women deserve to have some of their image(s) on the money of their individual nations of origin.

As at year 2025; the accomplishments, as well as peculiar achievements of women in different trades and professions, in Africa, have become so apparent-and glaringly-such that the honor that is been accorded many men, on the currency note denominations of Africa, is an honor, that women in Africa, should also be granted. In this vein, it should be a case of, “what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.” Consider these array of women achievers in Africa: In Nigeria, we have renown Amazons like, Arunmah Otteh, Oby Ezekweseli, Chimmamanda Ngozi Adichie-similar to Jane Austen in England, Hilda Baci, Late Professor Dora Akunyili, Olubunmi Patricia Etteh, Folorunsho Alakija, and then of course the dual Nigerian great women, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, and Dr, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

In Liberia, there is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who happens to be Africa’s first democratically elected woman president. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace prize which was awarded to her in 2011. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was also elected as chair of ECOWAS in June, 2016.

There is also another woman of repute, like Emtithal Mahmoud. Born in Khartoum, Sudan, she uses her talents-as a world Champion Slam Poet and activist for the refugee cause. In East Africa, in Ethiopia, Meaza Ashenafi, is the first female justice of Ethiopia, and a trail blazer in many ways, mainly for legal advocacy through her work with Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association. (EWLA). In the same Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, was elected President of Ehiopia, in October, 2018. Sahle Work Zewde, is the first elected female President of Ehiopia. In Burundi, a woman, Slyvie Kiningi, served as Acting President of Burundi, from February 1993, to October 1994.In South Africa, Ivy Matsepe Cassaburi, served, briefly, as Acting President of the nation, in September 2005. In Gabon, Rose Francine Rogombe, served as interim President of Gabon, from (June 2009, to October, 2009). Agnes Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, served as Acting President of Mauritius, from March to july2012, and then in May, to June, 2015)

Joyce Hilda Banda, is a glowing example of a notable woman Achiever in Africa, in Malawi. Joyce Banda, served as president of Malawi, from April 2012, to May 2014. She was also the country’s first female Vice President in (May 2009, to April 2012), before assuming office of President in Malawi. In Central African Republic, Catherine Samba Panza, served as Acting President of the said country, from (January 2014, to March 2016). Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, served as President of Mauritius, (June 2015, to March 2018). In Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, mounted the saddle of President of the said nation, in March 2021, and as year 2025, is still serving in the said capacity. Then in the Gold Coast Nation of Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, took oath of office as the first female Vice President of the said country, under President John Mahama, on 7th January, 2025.

All these parade of feminine achievers in the continent of Africa, shows clearly that the contribution of women to the measure of greatness that Africa is accorded, today, among the committee of nations, globally, is indeed unquestionable, and immense. In this light, one does not see the basis or sense in the glaring marginalization of the female gender, by the male gender, as to representation of the former, on the array of banknotes that constitute legal tender in Africa. The fact that, of all the 54 countries that make up the continent of Africa, not up to ten (10) African countries, have accorded its array of Amazons, and notable women achievers, due respect-and honor-by having their images on the currency note denominations of their nations, as their male counterparts, tell of the fact that, women in Africa, require juxtaposed-justice in many spheres in the continent.

The 8th day of March every year, is celebrated in many countries around the world, as International Women Day (IWD). It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements, without regards to divisions whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political. International Women Day, March 8th of each year, first emerged from the activities of later movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America, and across Europe. The said day, is to basically bring to limelight, the peculiar accomplishments and unique achievements of women-and the female folks, world-wide, especially when such accomplishments, are above those of their male counterparts. The said day, March 8th, each year, is also meant to further remind the entire world of the irrefutable fact that women, are very important in the scheme of (all) human existence, and thus should not be relegated to “subordinate backgrounds” in the handling of world affairs, and secular issues. International Women Day, also seeks to promote the active-participation (as well as representation) of women, as equal partners with their male counterparts, in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect in the handling of a league of mankind’s delicate array of trade, business, and professions.

Every year, whenever this said day-and date, March 8th dawns; each nation and country-and indeed society, as well as trade and profession, needs to be reminded, that they should find ways and avenues of honoring Renown Women Achievers, everywhere, in a format that is deserving of the rare achievements of such modern day Amazons. In my own view, one of the prime ways to accord any renown woman-achiever in any society, an honor that is laudable, is by having the image of such a woman-achiever, or women-achievers, prominently displayed on one, or two, or even more of the currency note denominations of their individual nations of origin. Such an honor, proffered to any renown woman anywhere, definitely, will be an honor that is societally, ultimate, to women, everywhere. And while advocating for this honor, to be accorded renown women of Africa; one should hastily advocate here-in that such an honor should be accorded to notable African women, while they are alive, rather than posthumously.

From North Africa to South Africa, From East Africa to West Africa, virtually all the array of currency notes which the continent of Africa has to parade, has embossed images and picture-faces of great achievers that have passed away. Thus, the honor being accorded to them-by having their images on the money of their individual nations of origin, is an honor that is posthumous. Posthumous honors are still good and acceptable. However, the honor that is truly acceptable, exciting and good, is the honor that is accorded a man-or woman, when he or she, is still alive.

There are many ways of honoring an individual, whether male or woman, whether the said individual is alive-or dead (i.e. posthumously). According deserving people, due honor, could be through naming of streets, government-owned infrastructures, hospitals, stadiums-and sports events venues, as well as educational institutions, etcetera, after such individuals. However, according people honor-whether alive or dead-by having their images and likenesses on any currency note denomination(s), or coins, as the case may be, one will dare say, is according such an individual, ultimate prestige and respect

Paper Money, and coins-that is for nations across the globe that uses coins as part of its legal tender, have become integral, and part and parcel of every nation’s daily ‘hustle and bustle’. Believed to have evolved from ancient China, Money, Paper Money, has become indispensable in the lives and daily activities of all mankind. Many of us spend money, (physical money)-daily, without knowing the profile, or resume’ of the image(s) of the revered citizen(s) that dot such banknotes, or currency notes denomination. Since money-paper Money, has become so important in the whole wide world; each nation, and country-in my own opinion, requires to be meticulous, pertaining the choice of any revered citizen of theirs, whose image dots any currency notes, as a legal tender.

For Africa, working assiduously to have some currency note denominations, in every African nation, dotting the images, or embossed portraits of one or more of each African nation’s great Amazons, or woman of repute, is a vision which the 54 nations of Africa, must adopt, with an enthusiasm, that is patriotic.

•Ogbe, Patrick Adaofuoyi can be reached via e-mail: ogbe4467@gmail.com G.S.M: 09031556482; 08050324046.