Vice President of the Republic, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has praised Ghana’s economic turnaround and called for renewed discipline and accountability to sustain the gains made with the national currency.
Speaking at the official launch of Cedi@60 in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described the Cedi as more than just money – a reflection of Ghana’s identity, confidence, and independence.
“It was in July 1965 that the Cedi replaced the Ghanaian pound, pence, and shillings. This was the result of a bold plan by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to free our economy from colonial structures,” she said.
“Thus, Ghana sent a signal that our history did not begin with colonisation.”
The Vice President reflected on the Cedi’s six-decade journey, noting that the currency has “borne witness to our achievements and also our problems.” She said a stable Cedi benefits all sectors from farmers and students to businesses and households.
“For our farmers, stability means the cost of farm inputs doesn’t spiral out of control. For students, it means fees, books, and jobs are more predictable. And for households, it means less inflation and better long-term planning,” she explained.
Turning to recent economic developments, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the Cedi’s performance in 2025 has been remarkable.
“According to Bloomberg, the Ghana Cedi, branded the worst performing currency in the world in 2022, became in 2025 the best performing currency globally,” she stated, drawing applause from the audience.
She credited the progress to improved fiscal management and the work of key institutions such as the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana.
“Inflation dropped from a high of 54.1 percent to 13.7 percent, and our gross international reserves now exceed 12 billion US dollars,” she noted.
However, she cautioned that maintaining confidence in the Cedi will require continued discipline.
“Government must lead by example, no more reckless borrowing or surging deficits that pass today’s problems to tomorrow’s generations,” she said.
“Let every loan be tied to a return, and every Cedi spent to a corresponding value.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also underscored the need to protect the independence of the Bank of Ghana and ensure that the Cedi remains the preferred medium of exchange.
“Too many goods and services are still quoted in foreign currencies. If you earn in Cedis, you must be able to transact in Cedis,” she stressed.
She acknowledged the leadership of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama, commending their role in restoring confidence through “tight monetary policy and engagement with the public.”
The Vice President also highlighted ongoing innovation in the financial sector, particularly the Bank of Ghana’s development of a digital version of the Cedi, known as the eCedi.
“Once fully scaled, the eCedi will modernise our payment systems and ensure that even in a cashless future, the Cedi retains its importance,” she said, adding that “the benefits of digital finance must reach all of us, especially those who are often excluded.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged citizens to see the Cedi not only as a medium of exchange but as a symbol of national pride and resilience.
“As we buy, sell, borrow, save, and even fulfil our debts, we must remember that the Cedi has also been a symbol of national identity, resilience, and aspiration,” she said. “May our Cedi endure.”
The Cedi@60 celebration marks six decades since Ghana introduced its own currency, replacing British colonial denominations in a move that signaled a new era of economic sovereignty.