Ghana Unveils Heritage Cedi Series: New Banknotes Celebrate National Heroes, Historic Sites and Adinkra Values

The Bank of Ghana has unveiled a redesigned family of banknotes that will bring the country's history, faith, art and commerce into the palms of Ghanaians, with the new Heritage Series Cedi notes set to enter circulation on 1 December 2026.

President John Dramani Mahama launched the eight-denomination series on Thursday at the Bank of Ghana's Bank Square headquarters in Accra, describing the currency as a symbol of national pride, confidence and shared heritage . The new notes will co-circulate with the existing series, which remains legal tender, and will be gradually withdrawn by banks over time .

The Heritage Series features eight notable Ghanaian figures on the front, paired with historic landmarks or institutions on the reverse, and each denomination carries an Adinkra symbol representing the theme it honours. Below is a detailed look at the personalities, landmarks and symbols that define each note.

GH¢1: Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome — Commerce

The grey GH¢1 note honours Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome (1913–1997), a Makola and Okaishie trader who became one of Ghana's most prominent market women by the 1940s. Born on 27 May 1913, she entered trading between 1921 and 1929 after financial difficulties cut short her education, and she later became the first woman to open a bank account with Standard Bank of West Africa, now Standard Chartered .

Her political significance lies in her close relationship with Kwame Nkrumah. When Nkrumah returned from the United Kingdom, he stayed briefly with her, and after he formed the Convention People's Party in 1949, she single-handedly mobilised market women's support and organised financing for his campaign activities . The reverse of the note depicts market women selling foodstuffs, while the Adinkra symbol Bese Saka — a sack of kola nuts — represents abundance, wealth, unity and commercial prosperity.

GH¢2: Cardinal Peter Dery — Religious Freedom

The orange-and-gold GH¢2 note features Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery (1918–2008), the former Archbishop of Tamale who was created Ghana's first cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 . Born in Ko in the Diocese of Wa, Dery was among the first Catholics of northwestern Ghana, baptised in 1932, and became the first Dagao to be ordained a Catholic priest in 1951 .

The reverse features the Larabanga Mosque in the Savannah Region, widely regarded as the oldest mosque in Ghana and one of the oldest in West Africa. Thought to date to 1421, the mud-and-timber structure in Sudanese style is known as the "Mecca of West Africa" and appears on the World Monuments Fund's list of 100 Most Endangered Sites . The accompanying Adinkra symbol is Nyame Dua, the "tree of God," representing divine presence, protection and spiritual guidance.

GH¢5: Dr J.E.K. Aggrey — Education

The blue GH¢5 note celebrates James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey (1875–1927), one of Ghana's most respected educationists and intellectuals. Aggrey's papers document his work on behalf of education for Africans and African Americans and racial harmony, as well as his involvement in establishing the Prince of Wales College and School, later Achimota School .

The reverse of the note shows the clock-tower building of Achimota School in Accra, an institution he helped found and which remains one of Ghana's prominent educational establishments. The Adinkra symbol is Nea Onnim No Sua A, Ohu — "one who does not know can know by learning" — highlighting education, knowledge and lifelong learning.

GH¢10: Justice Annie Jiagge — Justice and Equality

The green GH¢10 note honours Justice Annie Jiagge (1918–1996), a pioneering Ghanaian judge and women's rights advocate. Jiagge served on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women from 1962, became its President in 1968, and was a driving force in shaping the draft Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which presaged the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women . In a 1996 tribute, then-UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali described her as "an inspiring advocate for women's rights" whose impact would be felt by generations of women worldwide .

The reverse features the Supreme Court of Ghana, with the Martyrs of the Rule of Law monument standing in front of the building. The note carries the Adinkra symbol Epa, meaning handcuffs, representing law, justice and the enforcement of legal principles.

GH¢20: Dr Ephraim Amu — Arts and Entertainment

The purple GH¢20 note features Dr Ephraim Amu (1899–1995), a renowned composer, musicologist and teacher best known for his contributions to the development of choral music in Ghana and his pioneering work in music education .

The reverse shows the National Theatre in Accra, an important centre for the performing arts whose distinctive ship-like roof makes it one of the capital's notable landmarks. The Adinkra symbol is Dono, the traditional talking drum, associated with praise, goodwill, communication and rhythm.

GH¢50: Theodosia Okoh — Nationalism

The red-orange GH¢50 note celebrates Theodosia Okoh (1922–2015), the Ghanaian artist and designer who created the national flag .

The reverse features Jubilee House, the official seat of the President of Ghana, whose architectural design draws inspiration from the traditional Akan stool, a symbol of authority and leadership. The Adinkra symbol is Fawohodie, representing independence, freedom and emancipation.

GH¢100: Kofi Annan — Peace

The turquoise GH¢100 note honours Kofi Annan (1938–2018), the Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The reverse features the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra. Established by Ghana's Ministry of Defence in 1998 and commissioned in 2004, the centre was built to share Ghana's five decades of peace operations experience with the ECOWAS region and the rest of Africa, and is one of three Peacekeeping Training Centres of Excellence mandated by ECOWAS . The note carries the Adinkra symbol Bi Nka Bi — "no one should bite another" — promoting peace, harmony, restraint and peaceful coexistence.

GH¢200: Dr Kwame Nkrumah — Sovereignty

The pink-and-red GH¢200 note features Dr Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972), Ghana's first President and the leader who guided the country to independence from British colonial rule on 6 March 1957.

The reverse features the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, which houses his mausoleum and statue. The Adinkra symbol is Adinkrahene, often described as the chief of all Adinkra symbols, representing greatness, leadership, authority and charisma.

Design and Security Features

All eight denominations share a common layout: the front carries the Bank of Ghana's name, the denomination in words, the national coat of arms and the black star, alongside a column of Adinkra symbols next to the portrait. The reverse includes a QR code and decorative borders inspired by traditional kente patterns.

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama said the notes feature enhanced security to guard against counterfeiting, are easier to authenticate, more durable for Ghana's climate, and smaller and more portable for everyday use . President Mahama noted the notes are made of reinforced cotton paper designed to last longer than the currency they replace . At the launch, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, jointly unveiled a Bank of Ghana Cedi App designed to help the public identify and understand the security features, including assistance for persons with visual impairments .

The Bank has urged the public to handle the new notes with care, cautioning against spraying, crumpling, stapling or using them to make money bouquets.