Cedi@60: Bank of Ghana Pushes for Stability Amid Global Financial Shifts
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, has opened the Cedi@60 International Currency Conference with a strong call for national unity, institutional coordination, and global collaboration to safeguard the future of Ghana’s currency.
Speaking at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr. Asiama described the conference as an important platform that brings together central bank governors, financial experts, payment specialists, researchers, and global partners to discuss emerging trends and challenges in currency management, digital innovation, and economic security.
The two-day event forms part of the year-long Cedi@60 celebrations, marking six decades of the Ghanaian currency.
Mahama’s Presence Signals National Importance
The Governor expressed profound appreciation to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, for honouring the occasion with his presence, describing it as a reaffirmation of the national significance of the Cedi at 60.
According to Dr. Asiama, President Mahama’s “Resetting Ghana” agenda aligns strongly with the Bank’s mandate, particularly in ensuring currency stability, integrity, and public confidence.
“Your engagement underscores our shared responsibility to protect the value, integrity, and future of the Cedi,” he noted.
Reflecting on 60 Years of the Cedi
Dr. Asiama described the Cedi as a symbol of national identity and economic independence since its introduction.
“For sixty years, the Cedi has moved with our people – into markets, in small shops, on farms, in trotro stations, and in the quiet routines of daily life,” he said.
He added that the currency has witnessed Ghana’s economic journey — from reforms and progress to difficult periods that tested the country’s resilience.
Preparing the Cedi for the Next Generation
Looking ahead, the Governor emphasised that young Ghanaians will engage with money in new ways shaped by digital lifestyles, transparency demands, and rising expectations of convenience.
He highlighted ongoing reforms, including payment system modernisation and the eCedi project, designed to ensure that both cash and digital money remain secure, interoperable, and fit for purpose.
“Cash continues to play an essential role in inclusion and resilience, while digital channels are expanding convenience and reach,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to address rising dollarisation pressures and restore the Cedi’s role as the primary medium of exchange.
Global Currency Landscape Changing Rapidly
Dr. Asiama noted that global economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, and technological change — including artificial intelligence and tokenisation — are reshaping the future of money. These developments, he said, require stronger leadership, clarity of strategy, and deeper international collaboration.
He stressed that the conference brings together the full ecosystem of currency management — from designers and security experts to academics and regulators — at a time when cross-border dialogue is more crucial than ever.
Appreciation to Partners
The Governor expressed gratitude to Currency Research, international partners, and participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas for supporting the event.
“The Cedi belongs to all of us. It carries our confidence, our effort, and our belief in the future of this country,” he said.
He concluded with a call for collective responsibility in preserving the strength of the national currency:
“Protecting the Cedi is not the task of any one institution, it is a shared endeavour rooted in our belief in Ghana’s future.”
The Cedi@60 International Currency Conference continues tomorrow with expert discussions on security features, digital currency trends, payment innovation, and global monetary cooperation.
