At the Accra International Conference Center, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang led the launch of Cedi @60, a commemoration of Ghana’s national currency that has served as both a symbol of sovereignty and a measure of economic resilience since 1965.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice President described the milestone as not just a celebration of history but also a reflection on how far the nation has come in reclaiming economic stability and institutional trust.
“What a joy to be here today, as we celebrate our Cedi’s 60th anniversary, we must also reflect on the vision of President Kwame Nkrumah, whose dream was to free our economy from colonial structures when the Cedi replaced the Ghana Pounds and Shillings in July 1965.”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Reflecting on Ghana’s turbulent economic past, from the structural adjustment era of the 1980s to the domestic debt exchange and recent fiscal shocks, Professor Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged the pain and lessons that came with those experiences. But she was quick to highlight the country’s renewed momentum under the current administration.
“Today, the Cedi hasn’t just recovered, it’s soared. According to Bloomberg, Ghana’s Cedi, which was the worst-performing global currency in 2022, has again become the best-performing currency in 2025.”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
She further pointed to key macroeconomic gains, including a drop in inflation from 54.1% to 13.7% and gross international reserves now exceeding $12 billion.
Safeguarding Hard-Earned Stability
While celebrating the progress, the Vice President underscored the need to safeguard the hard-earned stability. “Confidence in the Cedi will not sustain itself. Trust must be maintained through sound decisions, transparent actions, and accountable policies,” she cautioned.
She urged the government and public institutions to uphold fiscal discipline and avoid the cycle of deficits that burden future generations.
“We must anchor public finances in realistic revenue plans and effective expenditure. Let every tax be linked to income, and every Cedi spent have a corresponding value.”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Vice President stressed that macroeconomic stability must be seen not as an abstract achievement but as an improvement in people’s everyday lives.
“For students, stability means predictable tuition and job markets. For families, it means less inflation, more predictable food prices, and the ability to plan for the future”.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recalled that the introduction of the Cedi was not merely an economic adjustment but a political and cultural statement, a declaration that Ghana’s identity and value system were no longer tethered to colonial legacy.
“The Cedi sent a clear signal that our history did not begin with colonization. Independence and sovereignty can be found in our ability to express value and transact on our own terms.”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
She emphasized that the Cedi, over the decades, had mirrored Ghana’s collective journey, the triumphs and the trials alike. For her, the Ghana Cedi as a currency is a social contract that reflects confidence in the country’s institutions and its economy.
According to the Vice President, a reliable Cedi helps businesses to plan and compete, supports farmers with stable input costs, and enables the government to manage debt effectively.
Institutional Roles: Maintaining BoG’s Independence
Turning her focus to institutional roles, Professor Opoku-Agyemang stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the Bank of Ghana.
She commended the leadership of the Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama, and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for their stewardship in stabilizing the currency and implementing forward-looking financial policies.
She praised the Bank of Ghana for its regulatory oversight, support for financial technology innovations, and efforts to modernize payment systems. “I encourage the Bank to work closely with businesses, banks, and innovators to make it easier to access the Cedi — at home, online, and across borders,” She remarked.
The Vice President also highlighted the shared responsibility of citizens in sustaining the Cedi’s strength, stressing that restoring confidence in the Cedi is a national responsibility.
“We must teach each other, through civic education and public campaigns, that the power of a currency lies in what it buys and what it represents. The Cedi is only as strong as the institutions and people who protect it.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
She called on all sectors — Parliament, academia, the private sector, the media, and citizens — to play their roles with integrity and discipline.
“The Ministry of Finance must uphold fiscal responsibility; Parliament must exercise thoughtful oversight; the private sector must operate with transparency; and citizens must speak cautiously and act prudently”.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
E-Cedi: Modernizing Payment System
Looking ahead, Professor Opoku-Agyemang touched on the ongoing development of the E-Cedi, a digital version of Ghana’s currency being tested by the Bank of Ghana.
Once complete, the Vice President noted that the E-Cedi will modernize our payment systems and ensure that even in a cashless future, our national currency remains relevant.
However, she emphasized that innovation must go hand in hand with inclusion. “The benefits of digital finance must reach everyone, especially those in need,” she said.
As she formally declared the Cedi @60 celebration launched, the Vice President called on Ghanaians to take pride in their currency as more than a medium of exchange — as a living emblem of national identity, resilience, and aspiration.
“The Cedi has been a symbol of our strength and our collective vision for the past six decades. May it continue to tell our story — one of endurance, innovation, and hope.”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
As Ghana marks 60 years of the Cedi, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s message was clear: the currency’s strength mirrors the nation’s discipline, innovation, and unity.
Sustaining its stability, she emphasized, demands collective responsibility, fiscal prudence, and a shared commitment to protecting the economic legacy of Ghana’s enduring symbol of independence.
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