Ghana launches year-long celebration to mark 60 years of the cedi

By Ruth Serwaa Asare Ghana has launched a year-long celebration to commemorate 60 years since the introduction of its national currency, the cedi, under the theme “Our Currency, Our Confidence.” The launch, held in Accra, brought together high-profile dignitaries including the Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang; the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson; and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Bandit Asiamah, who described the milestone as a moment of national reflection and renewed purpose. Dr. Asiamah said the Cedi @ 60 initiative is not just a ceremonial event but a national conversation about Ghana’s economic journey, resilience, and financial sovereignty. “When we celebrate the cedi, we celebrate our journey toward economic self-reliance and national confidence,” he said. “This anniversary belongs to all of us because the cedi is not just a currency — it is a trusted store of value and a symbol of our collective pride as a nation.” He traced the cedi’s evolution since July 1965, when Ghana issued its first national currency under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, emphasizing that the move signaled more than a shift in banknotes — it was a declaration of full independence and control over the country’s monetary destiny. “Sixty years ago, Ghana made a powerful statement to the world — that our political independence must be matched with economic independence,” the Governor said. Reflecting on the progress made since then, Dr. Asiamah highlighted the cedi’s transformation through various re-denominations, security upgrades, and technological advancements — from coins and banknotes to modern QR code payments. Source link