Accra, Oct. 28, GNA – Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for sound governance, transparent policies and citizen responsibility to maintain trust in the economy and the cedi.
Addressing a gathering of dignitaries, economists, students, and citizens at the launch of Cedi @60 anniversary, Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang noted that the currency was more than a medium of exchange—”it is a social contract reflecting national confidence in institutions and economic direction.”
“Government must lead by example… No more reckless borrowing,” she urged, calling for realistic revenue plans and efficient public spending.
The cedi traced its origins to July 1965, when it replaced the colonial-era Pound.
The transition, led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was described as a strategic move to liberate Ghana’s economy from colonial structures and assert its sovereignty.
The Vice-President’s address underscored the importance of macroeconomic stability, linking it directly to quality of life.
Farmers, students, public sector workers, and households were cited as beneficiaries of a stable currency, which ensures predictable costs, fees, and prices.
She recounted Ghana’s economic journey, including the structural adjustments of the 1980s, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the recent domestic debt exchange.
Despite these challenges, the Cedi has rebounded impressively, she said.
“In 2022, the Ghana Cedi was the worst-performing currency globally. Today, Bloomberg reports it as the best-performing currency in 2025,” she said.
Inflation has dropped from 54.1 percent to 9.4 percent, as of September 2025, and international reserves now exceed US$12 billion, signaling renewed market confidence.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the independence of the Bank of Ghana as crucial to sustaining stability.
She commended Dr Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance and Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, for their role in implementing tight monetary policies and regulating virtual asset providers.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang lauded the development of the e-Cedi, a digital currency initiative by the Bank of Ghana, describing it as a forward-looking measure to modernize payment systems and ensure the relevance of the Cedi in a cashless future.
She stressed the need for digital inclusion to ensure equitable access to financial innovation.
She paid tribute to Dr. Nkrumah, early central bank governors, and Ghanaians who have contributed to the Cedi’s legacy.
On his part, Dr Johnson Asiama, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, emphasized that the initiative was not merely a celebration of longevity but a reflection on Ghana’s journey toward economic self-reliance.
He said through exhibitions, lectures, community forums, and digital outreach, the programme aimed to bring the story of the Cedi to every Ghanaian from urban centres to remote communities.
“This anniversary belongs to all of us. When we celebrate the Cedi, we celebrate our journey toward economic self-reliance and national confidence,” he added.
GNA
Christian Akorlie