President John Dramani Mahama has described Ghana’s new Heritage Series banknotes as more than a medium of exchange, saying they will bring the country’s history, culture and national identity into the everyday lives of its people.
Speaking at the official launch of the new banknotes at the Bank Square in Accra on Thursday, November 12, 2026, he said the currency represented a shared national heritage that cuts across political, religious and geographical divisions.
“The cedi knows no political parties. Its usefulness rests on the confidence that we Ghanaians place in it,” he said.
President Mahama traced the origins of the currency’s name to the Akan word for cowry shells, recalling how Ghana’s forebears used cowries to facilitate trade long before the establishment of modern financial institutions.
“Long before the currency we know today, our forebears traded in cowries. From the markets of Salaga to communities along the coast, the cowries enabled the exchange of goods, including salt, cloth, and pollen,” he said.
He also referenced traditional brass weights used in gold trading, particularly the image of two crocodiles joined together and sharing one stomach, which he said symbolised shared responsibility and collective survival.
“That lesson of the crocodiles remains relevant in Ghana today. We may approach questions from different perspectives, but the consequences of our choices extend beyond ourselves,” he stated.
According to the President, the Heritage Series seeks to carry these historical and cultural connections into modern currency design through images representing the country’s people and national journey.
He said the banknotes could also serve as educational tools for younger generations by exposing them to important national figures, historic places and cultural symbols.
“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.
President Mahama further described the Cedi as a representation of Ghana beyond its borders, noting that visitors could encounter the country’s history and culture through its currency.
“In that sense, our currency serves as a quiet ambassador for our nation,” he said.
The new banknotes were launched under the theme, “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last.”
The Heritage Series incorporates enhanced security features and improved durability, while existing banknotes will continue to circulate alongside the new notes during a gradual transition.
