The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has officially launched the “Cedi@60” initiative, a year-long national engagement commemorating six decades of the national currency, the Cedi.
The programme seeks to reconnect citizens with the historical, economic, and cultural significance of the currency, while fostering public education and dialogue on monetary sovereignty.
Speaking at the launch event in Accra, Dr Johnson Asiama, 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.
Through exhibitions, lectures, community forums,Band digital outreach, the programme aims 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.”
The Cedi was introduced in July 1965, replacing the Ghanaian pound. Since then, it has undergone several transformations, including a re-denomination and the introduction of the “model Cedi” in 2007.
These changes reflect Ghana’s evolving economic landscape and its commitment to modernizing its financial systems.
The initiative also acknowledges the economic challenges Ghana has faced in recent years.
In 2022, the Cedi depreciated by over 50 percent, becoming the world’s worst-performing currency according to Bloomberg. Inflation soared to over 54 percent, with food inflation reaching nearly 60 percent year-on-year.
However, Dr Asiama highlighted a significant turnaround with headline inflation down to 9.4 percent as of September 2025, and the Cedi had appreciated by 37 percent.
Ghana’s gross international reserves now stand at approximately $12 billion, bolstering investor confidence and economic stability.
“These gains are not by accident,” Dr Asiama noted. “They are the result of hard, sometimes unpopular, but principled decisions.”
The “Cedi@60” programme will feature a range of activities including Monetary exhibitions tracing the evolution from pounds to pesewas and coins to QR codes, Public lectures and school talks to engage students and professionals, Diaspora engagements focusing on remittances and international trust and Legacy publications and educational projects to preserve the currency’s history.
The Bank of Ghana also paid tribute to pioneers such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and past governors of the Central Bank, whose leadership laid the foundation for Ghana’s monetary independence.
“May this celebration renew our shared commitment to a stable, strong, and inclusive economy that works for us all,” Dr Asiama added.
