The Bank of Ghana (BoG) will formally launch its “Cedi@60” celebrations on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in Accra, with John Dramani Mahama serving as the Special Guest of Honour. The milestone commemorates six decades since Ghana introduced the cedi as its national currency on 19 July 1965.
Under the theme “60 Years of the Cedi: A Symbol of Sovereignty, Stability and Economic Resilience”, the anniversary aims to reflect on Ghana’s monetary evolution, promote public awareness of the cedi’s security features, and reinforce the role of currency in national identity and economic policy.
Preparations by the Bank of Ghana include not just the launch event at AICC, but a nationwide road-show dubbed the “Cedi Van”, exhibitions on currency design, youth-oriented art and essay competitions, and a global currency conference bringing together central-bank officials, academics and industry specialists.
The central bank emphasises that beyond celebration, the event underscores a strategic objective: to deepen public understanding of currency handling, boost the “Clean Note” campaign and inspire confidence in the cedi as Ghana’s currency of choice. The bank’s statement pointed out that the cedi has undergone multiple redesigns and policy transitions yet remains an essential component of Ghana’s economic sovereignty.
For President Mahama, the event holds diplomatic and symbolic significance. Ghana’s founder of the cedi echoes the nation’s first milestones in economic independence. His presence is expected to signal government support for strengthening domestic currency usage, enhancing monetary stability and supporting competitive national policy agendas such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Economists note that the anniversary arrives at a moment of renewed optimism for the cedi. In 2025 the currency recorded one of its best performances among African peers, helping restore investor confidence and positioning Ghana as potentially less dependent on foreign-currency transactions. The BoG has recently emphasised efforts to reduce dollarisation in the economy and improve control over liquidity and exchange-rate management.
To manage the launch event, BoG has invited citizens, industry stakeholders and youth delegates to register for participation. The three-day currency conference following the launch is scheduled for 17-20 November at the same venue and promises high-level sessions on digital currency, cash cycle management and the future role of the cedi in an increasingly digital and globalised financial ecosystem.
Critics and policy-watchers caution that while commemorative events help raise awareness, the real test lies in translating symbolic milestones into policy outcomes: stronger financial literacy, lower dependence on imported currency, enhanced domestic production and broader adoption of the cedi across contracts, wages and retail transactions. Achieving that will require coordination across government, industry and civil society.
In the lead-up to the launch, BoG officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the anniversary is not only about history but about future readiness. They pointed out that currency design must incorporate security, innovation and accessibility; that cash remains a critical element of financial inclusion even as digital payments expand; and that a stable, trusted national currency contributes materially to economic resilience.
As Ghana marks this historic national currency anniversary, the launch at AICC will serve both as a celebration of past achievements and a platform for setting agenda for the next 60 years. The domestic and international community will watch how Ghana balances commemoration with concrete steps toward strengthening its monetary sovereignty and economic identity.
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