The new Heritage Series of Ghana cedi banknotes is expected to promote the country’s history and cultural heritage, particularly among children, through images of prominent national figures, historic sites and cultural symbols.

Speaking at the launch of the new banknote series at Bank Square in Accra on Thursday, November 12, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama said the initiative would bring Ghana’s history closer to the public.

“History belongs in our classrooms and museums, and it also deserves a place in our everyday lives,” he said.

President Mahama said the redesigned notes would make aspects of Ghana’s history more visible by incorporating them into an item used in everyday transactions.

He described the cedi as more than a medium of exchange, saying it also represented the country’s identity and reflected the journey of its people.

He noted that the name of the currency was derived from the Akan word for cowrie shell, which was traditionally used as a medium of exchange.

He recalled that cowrie shells were used in markets such as Salaga and in coastal communities to trade goods, including salt, cloth and kola, while gold dust was also used and measured with brass weights.

The President said the currency connected Ghanaians across regions, religious beliefs and political affiliations, stressing that “the cedi knows no political parties”.

He also described the currency as a “quiet ambassador” for Ghana, explaining that visitors could encounter it before experiencing the country’s landmarks and hospitality.

President Mahama commended the individuals whose contributions to national development were recognised on the new notes and urged young people to play their part in shaping the country’s future.

The launch was held under the theme, “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last.”

AS/MA


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