The Minister of Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, has called on Ghanaians to desist from pricing goods and services in foreign currencies, stressing that the continuous dollarisation of the economy threatens the nation’s monetary sovereignty.
Speaking at the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Ghana Cedi in Accra, the minister said the milestone should remind citizens of the cedi’s symbolic role as a pillar of Ghana’s national pride, stability, and economic identity.
The grand ceremony brought together the Vice President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, Ministers of State, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and his deputies, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industry, and other dignitaries.
Dr Ato Forson, in a passionate appeal, reminded citizens and businesses that the Ghana cedi remains the only legal tender in the country, and every effort must be made to protect its integrity.
“Let me once again stress that as Ghanaians, the Ghana cedi remains the only legal tender. The US dollar is not our currency. The continuous pricing of goods and services in US dollars will only hurt us. Let’s stop it—and let’s stop it now,” he declared.
He warned that the practice of quoting prices in foreign currencies not only weakens the cedi but also undermines public confidence and hampers the country’s ability to achieve long-term economic stability.
“The cedi is the wealth we have. Let us protect it, let us trade with it, and let us defend it,” he added.
The Finance Minister traced the journey of the Ghana cedi from its introduction in 1965 to its evolution through periods of inflation, devaluation, redenomination, and recovery, noting that it has endured as the “heartbeat of our national sovereignty.”
“From the days of our First Republic through thirty-three years of uninterrupted democracy, the cedi has remained resilient. It is not just a store of value but a reflection of our identity as Ghanaians,” he said.
The theme for the anniversary, “The Cedi at 60: Symbol of Our Sovereignty, Stability, and Economic Resilience,” he noted, captures the essence of Ghana’s collective responsibility to safeguard its currency and promote fiscal discipline.
Dr Forson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability, emphasising that fiscal discipline remains at the heart of the administration’s strategy to strengthen the cedi and restore investor confidence.
“As managers of the economy, we have remained steadfast in our duty to ensure a strong and stable currency. Our commitment to fiscal discipline has contributed to the gains we are seeing—and these gains will be maintained,” he assured.
The minister urged citizens, traders, and institutions to uphold the sanctity of the Ghana cedi, encouraging everyone to treat it with respect and dignity.
“As citizens, we have a role to play. We must maintain the sanctity of the cedi by preserving it with dignity and protecting it jealously,” he said.
He concluded by calling on Ghanaians to see the cedi not as a burden but as a badge of economic independence, urging renewed dedication to building a self-reliant economy.
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