Ghanaians will start receiving redesigned cedi banknotes from December 1, 2026, after President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday launched the Bank of Ghana's Heritage Series at Bank Square in Accra, MyJoyOnline and Citi Newsroom reported.
The main message from both the President and the central bank was that the notes already in circulation are not being cancelled.
President Mahama said the new notes would run side by side with the existing ones and that the banks "will withdraw the old notes gradually" until the new series takes over completely, Citi Newsroom and 3News reported.
Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama said the existing series remains legal tender and that the gradual rollout would let the public and businesses adjust without disrupting economic activity, MyJoyOnline reported. Ahead of the launch, the Bank advised that there was no need for the public to rush to exchange or withdraw existing notes, according to 3News.
What is different
The President said the Heritage notes are made from reinforced cotton paper designed to last longer, and are smaller and easier to handle, Citi Newsroom, 3News and Graphic Online reported. The Governor said they carry enhanced security features meant to make counterfeiting harder and genuine notes easier to identify, according to MyJoyOnline.
The designs feature national figures, historic sites, monuments and Adinkra symbols. Citi Newsroom reported that five of the Big Six are not on the new notes; only Dr Kwame Nkrumah appears, on the GH¢200 note.
The Bank of Ghana has described the redesign as a currency upgrade, not a redenomination, so the value of the cedi does not change, 3News reported. When the series was announced in September, the Governor said it would update the GH¢200, GH¢100, GH¢50, GH¢20, GH¢10, GH¢5 and GH¢1 notes and bring back the GH¢2 note, with coins unchanged, according to 3News.
3News, citing JoyBusiness, reported that commercial banks are expected to use the period before December 1 to calibrate ATMs and cash-sorting machines.
More changes coming
Dr Asiama said the Bank is working with stakeholders on a new Currency Act to replace the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), with tougher penalties for counterfeiting, MyJoyOnline reported. He also announced plans for new cash centres at the Bank's Ho and Tamale offices and a nationwide public education campaign in major local languages.
The Governor also announced a Cedi App to educate users on the features of the Heritage Series and to assist people with visual impairments, according to MyJoyOnline.
President Mahama said the cedi "knows no political parties", Graphic Online reported, and described it as "an enduring expression of our economic sovereignty", according to 3News. He said giving the currency a stronger economic foundation is central to the government's New Economy Programme, which he said would underpin the 2027 Budget being presented in Parliament on Thursday evening.