Naana Opoku-Agyemang Urges National Civic Campaigns to Restore Confidence in the Cedi

Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for an aggressive national effort through civic education and public media campaigns to strengthen public confidence in the Ghana cedi, describing the currency as a “social contract” that mirrors the nation’s trust in its economy, institutions, and future.

At the launch of the Cedi@60 celebration in Accra, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang underscored the need for every Ghanaian to play a role in preserving the value and dignity of the national currency. She said while government and institutions must uphold fiscal discipline, citizens also have a patriotic duty to protect and promote the cedi through responsible actions and renewed public education.

“Restoring confidence in the cedi is a national responsibility,” she declared. “We must teach each other through civic education, schools, and public media campaigns that the strength of a currency is both what it buys and what it represents. The cedi is as strong as the institutions and people who protect it.”

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s call comes as Ghana marks 60 years since the introduction of the cedi in July 1965 — a move initiated by Dr Kwame Nkrumah to free the nation’s economy from colonial monetary systems. The Vice President described the cedi’s origin as deeply symbolic, rooted in the cowry shell that served as traditional currency for centuries, representing both continuity and independence.

“By replacing the pound, pence, and shillings, Ghana sent a signal that our history did not begin with colonisation,” she said. “Independence and sovereignty may be found in our ability to express value and transact on our own terms.”

Reflecting on the currency’s journey, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the cedi has weathered decades of turbulence—from structural adjustments and inflation to global economic crises—yet has remained a symbol of resilience. She noted that recent stability and performance gains are proof of Ghana’s renewed fiscal discipline and effective economic management.

“According to Bloomberg, the Ghana cedi, branded the worst-performing currency in 2022, became, in 2025, the best-performing currency globally,” she revealed, to the applause of attendees. “Inflation dropped from 54.1% to 13.7%, and our reserves now exceed 12 billion US dollars.”

Despite these improvements, the Vice President stressed that maintaining trust in the cedi requires sustained action — from government to citizens. She warned against complacency, saying, “Confidence will not sustain itself. It must be earned daily through transparent decisions, responsible spending, and disciplined management.”

She further urged the Ministry of Finance, Parliament, and the private sector to act with integrity and prudence, while encouraging academia and the media to help build informed understanding of fiscal policies and monetary stability.

“The Ministry of Finance must uphold fiscal responsibility. Parliament must exercise thoughtful oversight. The private sector must ground its operations in discipline. Academia should generate data and insights. And the media must educate,” she outlined.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also commended the Bank of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to regulate fintech innovations, promote monetary stability, and develop the e-Cedi, a digital version of the national currency aimed at modernising Ghana’s payment systems.

She emphasised that financial innovation must go hand in hand with education and inclusion: “The benefits of digital finance must reach everyone, especially those often excluded. As we modernise, we must also inform and empower.”

Concluding her address, the Vice President urged citizens to treat the cedi not just as money, but as a reflection of national pride and unity.

“As we buy, sell, borrow, save, and even fulfil our debts, let us remember that the cedi is a living symbol of our independence and aspiration,” she said.

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