By Francis Ntow, GNA
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), has urged Ghanaians to protect the country’s newly launched Cedi banknotes and preserve their heritage, describing the currency as a symbol of national pride, sovereignty and shared identity.
He made the call at the launch of the Heritage Series Cedi banknotes by President John Dramani Mahama in Accra on Thursday, witnessed by traditional rulers, parliamentarians, diplomats and leaders of the financial sector.
The new banknotes, made from reinforced cotton paper, are smaller, easier to handle and designed to last longer than the existing notes.
They will co-circulate with the existing banknotes, effective December 1, 2026.
Dr Asiama said the launch was not merely the introduction of upgraded banknotes but also an opportunity to reaffirm the Bank’s responsibility to protect the Cedi, celebrate Ghana’s heritage and prepare the currency for the demands of a changing world.
He said although the Bank of Ghana had the sole responsibility for issuing and managing the currency, its integrity also depended on how Ghanaians handled, accepted and used it.
He, therefore, urged citizens to make a collective commitment to protecting, preserving and valuing the Cedi as part of their contribution to national development.
The Governor noted that the Heritage Series provided the country with an opportunity to reflect on the historical milestones and achievements that had shaped its journey, adding that safeguarding the currency remained a shared national responsibility.
As the country looked forward to the opportunities and responsibilities ahead, he called for collective efforts to preserve the new banknotes.
“Let us all protect it, let us value it, and let us take pride in it,” he said.
Dr Asiama announced plans for a nationwide public education campaign in major Ghanaian languages to ensure that citizens understood the new Cedi and its security features, including how to identify genuine banknotes and handle the currency responsibly.
“Through this campaign, we aim to equip the public with the knowledge needed to identify genuine banknotes, to handle currency responsibly, and to appreciate the national heritage reflected in the series,” he said.
On the symbolism of the new banknotes, the Governor explained that the different denominations brought Ghana’s history and cultural identity to life through distinctive designs featuring national heroes, historic sites, monuments and Adinkra symbols.
He said the combination of historical figures, landmarks and cultural symbols offered Ghanaians an opportunity to connect with their heritage in an everyday setting.
The designs, he added, would serve as reminders of the people, places and values that had shaped the country’s national journey.
President Mahama also urged Ghanaians to protect the new banknotes, describing the currency as a carrier of both the nation’s daily economic activities and its shared heritage.
He said the Cedi transcended political affiliations and connected all Ghanaians, from kente weavers and fishermen to yam sellers and students.
He called on citizens to handle the new notes with care, carry them with pride, and avoid crumpling or writing on them.
“These notes will also help bring our history closer to our children. The national figures, the historic places, and the cultural symbols featured on the Heritage Series can prompt questions, encourage learning, and deepen understanding of the country that our children are growing in,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe