Handle the Cedi with care — BoG calls on Ghanaians

The Director and Head of Currency Management at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Mr. Dominic Owusu, has urged Ghanaians to handle the cedi with care and respect, describing it as a symbol of the nation’s dignity and identity.

Speaking in an interview on October 27, Mr. Owusu stressed that the appearance and condition of the cedi reflect not only the state of the economy but also the character and pride of the Ghanaian people.

“We have nowhere to go as Ghanaians; this is our country, and the cedi is our identity,” he said.

“When you talk about the pound, you think of the British; when you talk about the dollar, you think of the Americans. The dignity of the cedi depends on us. No one from outside will come and respect our currency, that’s our responsibility.”

He noted that the physical state of a nation’s currency often shapes the first impressions of visitors.

“When anyone arrives in your country, the quality of the money they receive at the airport says a lot about your nation, since the cedi represents our dignity, mishandling it means mishandling our dignity,” he explained.

Mr. Owusu added that the cleanliness of the nation’s currency reflects the quality of life of its people, introducing a memorable slogan:

“Clean Cedi, Clean Country — CCCC.

“There’s a saying that the quality of notes in circulation mirrors the quality of the lives of the people. Clean cedi, clean country. Dirty cedi, dirty Ghana,” he said.

He appealed to the public to avoid writing on, stapling, or folding banknotes, warning that such practices shorten their lifespan and increase replacement costs for the central bank.

The Bank of Ghana has, in recent years, intensified its public education campaign on proper currency handling as part of efforts to promote respect for the cedi, reduce waste, and strengthen national pride.

“It behoves us as good citizens to respect the currency and keep it clean, the cedi is our pride, our identity, and our dignity as a people,” Mr Owus noted.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana is set to officially launch the “Cedi@60” celebration at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Tuesday, October 29, 2025.

The event will mark 60 years since the introduction of the Ghana cedi, celebrating its role as a symbol of economic independence and national pride.