Amidst pomp and pageantry, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) yesterday celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Cedi, the local currency.
The programme, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, witnessed a rich display of culture and choreographies.
Held on the theme “A Symbol of Sovereignty, Stability and Economic Resilience,” the event was attended by hundreds of people from all walks of life. The Conference Centre, venue for the celebration of the 60th milestone of the local currency, was filled to capacity.
It was attended by the Vice President, chiefs and queens from across the country, former Governors of the Bank of Ghana, former Finance Ministers, past and present BoG staff, members of the clergy, business groups, and civil society organisations.
Also in attendance were representatives from the financial, insurance and fintech industries, such as universal banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, and finance houses.
The programme was spiced up with melodious renditions from the Winneba Youth Choir and choreographies by cultural groups showcasing the 60-year journey of the Cedi.
But it was the regalia, traditional songs, and drumming that accompanied the chiefs and queens who attended, which gave the programme its rich cultural flair.
The occasion was also used to launch the 60th anniversary logo and song for the “birthday” of the Cedi.
Interestingly, when the Cedi was outdoored in 1965, it was The Ghanaian Times that devoted a front page to the story with the banner headline: “The Currency Change-Over — The ‘Cedi’ is Out Today.” Fittingly, The Ghanaian Times was among the media outlets that covered the launch of the Cedi@60 celebration yesterday.
The Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, in his goodwill message, said the Cedi represented the pride and heritage of the country, adding that the theme for the programme could not have been more appropriate.
“Since 1965, the Cedi has not just been a small value, but an integral part of our heritage. Indeed, from the days of our first republic throughout our history, and to the 33 years of our uninterrupted democracy, the Cedi remains resilient. It has been a medium of exchange, facilitating trade, transactions, and connecting our people,” he said.
Mr Ato Forson entreated citizens to have faith in the Cedi and maintain its sanctity as a legal tender by preserving its dignity.
He advised Ghanaians to desist from acts that could undermine the value of the Cedi, particularly the pricing of goods and services in foreign currency.
Mr Ato Forson said the government was committed to ensuring that the Cedi remained strong and stable to sustain the macro-economic gains achieved over the past 10 months.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, in his welcome remarks, said the Cedi had evolved since it was introduced in 1967 and was currently one of the best-performing currencies in the world.
He said the stability of the Cedi had helped to tame inflation to 9.4 per cent as of September 2025 and was expected to drop further before the end of the year.
Dr Asiama added that the Cedi had appreciated by 37 per cent as of October 2025, and according to the World Bank, it was the best-performing currency in sub-Saharan Africa.
He mentioned some of the programmes outlined for the 60th anniversary celebration of the Cedi, including currency exhibitions, public lectures, school tours, diaspora engagements, special publications, and legacy projects.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE & AGNES OPOKU-SARPONG
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