The Bank of Ghana (BoG) will introduce a new upgraded series of Ghana cedi banknotes in November, with the new Heritage Series retaining all eight existing denominations.
The new notes will be issued in GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢50, GH¢100, and GH¢200 denominations.
According to the central bank, the upgraded banknotes will feature modern designs and enhanced security features designed to improve their durability, security, and resilience.
The Governor of the BoG, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, announced this at the 132nd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press conference at the Bank Square in Accra on Thursday, September 24.
He said the official launch of the Heritage Series is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and that the Bank will share detailed rollout information with the public ahead of the launch.
The new series is intended to strengthen the protection of the cedi against counterfeiting, extend the lifespan of banknotes and improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of currency management.
The designs will also draw on Ghana’s heritage and culture while celebrating national heroes and the country’s identity.
New notes to co-circulate with old ones
Dr Asiama stressed that the introduction of the Heritage Series would not immediately invalidate the existing banknotes.
The current notes will remain legal tender and circulate alongside the new series, meaning members of the public will not be required to exchange their existing cash immediately.
“The Heritage Series will be based on the existing series, so there will be a new upgraded one for the one cedi, for the two cedi. We are bringing that back. There will be another for the five cedi, for the 10 cedi, for the 20 cedi, for the 50 cedi, for the 100 and for the 200,” he said.
BoG to announce rollout modalities
Dr Asiama said the central bank would publish a detailed programme outlining how the new notes would be introduced.
He explained that the exercise would be similar to the currency re-denomination programme undertaken by Ghana in the past, except that the existing banknotes would continue to circulate alongside the upgraded notes.
He said the early announcement was intended to give the public sufficient notice and allow businesses, financial institutions and other stakeholders to prepare for the transition.
Enhanced security features
The Governor said the redesign had become necessary because the core designs of the existing banknotes had been in circulation for more than 20 years, during which technology and security standards had advanced significantly.
“The rapid modernisation of our banknotes is, therefore, imperative to ensure that they remain secure, durable, and responsive to the changing needs of the economy,” he said.
The Heritage Series will therefore incorporate enhanced security features and improved materials to enable the notes to withstand prolonged circulation.
The BoG expects the upgraded banknotes to provide stronger protection against counterfeiting while helping to reduce the cost of replacing worn-out notes and improving overall currency management.
Read also: [All you need to know about the new GH¢100 and GH¢200 notes]
Public urged to handle cedi notes properly
Dr Asiama urged the public not to rush to exchange or withdraw their existing banknotes because of the upcoming introduction of the Heritage Series.
He also called on businesses, traders and financial institutions to handle banknotes with greater care.
“Let us desist from crumbling, from writing on them, from stapling them, or from using banknotes for decorative purposes, from what some call money bouquets, from showering, from spraying, or other forms of currency abuse.
“Proper handling will help preserve the quality of our banknotes. It will reduce replacement cost for the central bank, and it will support efficient currency management,” the Governor added.
