The Bank of Ghana has announced that existing banknotes will continue to circulate alongside the new Heritage Series when it is introduced on November 3, 2026. According to Dominic Owusu, Director and Head of Currency Management at the Bank of Ghana, there is no need for the public to rush to exchange existing banknotes for the new ones. The old and new notes will co-circulate, allowing members of the public to use either version for transactions.
The Heritage Series is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize Ghana's currency and strengthen the security, durability, and functionality of the banknotes. The new series will feature denominations of GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢50, GH¢100, and GH¢200. Owusu clarified that the upgrade does not involve the introduction of a denomination higher than GH¢200, and urged the public to disregard unverified claims circulating on social media about new higher-denomination notes.
The Bank of Ghana will undertake public education when the Heritage Series enters circulation to familiarize the public with the new notes, including their security features and methods of authentication. This exercise will help Ghanaians identify and authenticate the new banknotes and understand how to handle them properly. Owusu also urged the public to treat the cedi with care, describing it as an important symbol of Ghana's national identity.
The introduction of the Heritage Series is aimed at ensuring that the banknotes remain durable and fit for circulation in the future. Owusu stated that the Bank of Ghana wants to look into the future and make sure that the banknote is able to reinforce its durability and fitness for use today and in the future. The new series is expected to be officially launched on November 3 at the Bank Square in Accra.
Existing Cedi notes will remain legal tender until further notice, and both old and new notes will continue to be accepted for transactions. The public has expressed relief at the announcement, as it eliminates the need to rush to exchange existing banknotes. The co-circulation of old and new notes is expected to ensure a smooth transition to the new Heritage Series.
The Bank of Ghana has also urged the public to rely on information from the Bank of Ghana and disregard unverified claims circulating on social media. This will help prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that the public is accurately informed about the new Heritage Series. The Bank of Ghana is committed to ensuring that the public is well-informed about the new banknotes.
The introduction of the Heritage Series is a significant step in the modernization of Ghana's currency, and is expected to have a positive impact on the economy. The new series will feature advanced security features and improved durability, making it more difficult to counterfeit and ensuring that it remains a reliable medium of exchange for years to come.
Key points
- Existing Cedi notes will remain legal tender alongside the new Heritage Series.
- The new Heritage Series will feature denominations of GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢50, GH¢100, and GH¢200.
- The Bank of Ghana will undertake public education to familiarize the public with the new notes and their security features.
