The Bank of Ghana will introduce the Ghana Heritage Series banknotes on November 3, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen currency security, improve durability and celebrate the country’s national identity.
The upgraded notes will circulate alongside existing cedi banknotes, which will remain legal tender.
Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama announced the initiative at the Bank Square in Accra on Thursday, September 24, assuring the public that the exercise does not require an immediate exchange of existing currency.
“There is no need for the public to rush to exchange or withdraw existing notes solely because of the introduction of the Heritage Series,” he said.
The Bank has not announced a deadline for exchanging current banknotes.
New Notes to Carry Stronger Security Features
The Heritage Series is being introduced under the theme “The Cedi, Our Future Secured; Designed to Last.”
According to Dr Asiama, the upgrade responds to changes in currency circulation, advances in printing technology and increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting methods.
Ghana’s core banknote designs have been in circulation for more than two decades.
“Periodic modernisation of our banknotes is therefore imperative to ensure that they remain secure, durable and responsive to the changing needs of the economy,” the Governor stated.
The upgraded series is intended to offer stronger protection against counterfeiting while withstanding prolonged use.
Improved durability could also reduce the frequency with which damaged notes must be withdrawn and replaced.
The Bank is expected to provide further guidance on the new notes and their security features ahead of the November launch.
Heritage Series to Celebrate Ghanaian Identity
Beyond security, the redesigned notes will highlight Ghana’s history, culture and national heroes.
Dr Asiama described the cedi as more than a means of payment, noting that it represents the country’s economic sovereignty.
“The Heritage Series also provides a unique opportunity to honour our national heroes and celebrate Ghana’s heritage, culture and identity through modern and progressive currency designs,” he said.
Each denomination will incorporate Ghanaian visual elements intended to connect the country’s past with its future aspirations.
BoG Warns Against Abuse of Cedi Notes
The Governor also renewed calls for Ghanaians to handle banknotes carefully.
He urged individuals, traders and financial institutions to stop writing on notes, stapling them or using them for money bouquets and spraying at events.
Such practices damage currency and increase the cost of replacing worn or defaced notes.
“The integrity of our currency is not the responsibility of the Bank of Ghana alone,” Dr Asiama said. “It is a shared national responsibility.”
The announcement comes amid growing use of mobile money and electronic payments, but physical cash remains important for everyday transactions, particularly in markets and transport services.
For consumers and businesses, the immediate message is straightforward: the Heritage Series is an upgrade, not a currency conversion. Existing cedi notes will retain their value and can continue to be used after November 3.
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