Staff of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) yesterday poured out into major markets across Accra to begin a nationwide sensitisation campaign on the proper use and handling of the Ghana Cedi notes.
The exercise, on the theme, “Handle the Cedi with dignity,” formed part of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the Ghana cedi.
Staff of the central bank visited the Makola, Kaneshie and Madina markets to educate the public, including traders and buyers, on how best to preserve the quality and lifespan of the national currency.
The campaign was led by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, supported by the First Deputy Governor, Dr Zakari Mumuni, the Director of the Currency Department, Dominic Owusu, and many other senior officials of the bank.
The BoG team moved from one stall to another to engage traders, shoppers and market leaders in multiple local languages, including Twi, Hausa, Ga and Ewe, during which they stressed the need for Ghanaians to treat the cedi with respect and dignity.
The delegation also distributed educational leaflets and demonstrated practical ways to store, sort and use banknotes without causing damage.
At Makola, the BoG delegation was received by the Greater Accra Markets Association (GAMA) led by its President, Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan, and other executives of the association.
Speaking to the media at the Makola Market in Accra on November 21, Mr Owusu explained that the exercise formed part of the broader “Cedi@60” commemoration, which sought to deepen public understanding of the currency’s history and its role in national development.
He stressed that knowing about the past and appreciating the value of the cedi should motivate citizens to contribute to safeguarding its future.
“So the Ghana Cedi is 60 years, and we are celebrating this milestone with various activities.
Knowledge about where we have been and what has happened in the past is very important for a prosperous tomorrow”.
“Our market women and traders handle large volumes of banknotes daily, so, we came here to sensitise them to the appropriate handling and use of the cedi,” he said.
Mr Owusu expressed concern about the widespread habit of crumpling and squeezing banknotes, particularly when giving money as gifts.
He warned that the acts damaged the protective features embedded in the notes, reducing their durability and increasing the cost of printing replacements.
“One thing we must emphasise is that we should stop crumpling the money.
“Anytime you squeeze the money, know that you are destroying it for foreign money to be used to print a new one.
The money has protective devices, and crumpling destroys them at a high cost to the state.
So please, let’s resist this practice and handle the cedi with dignity,” he said.
National pride
Mr Owusu urged Ghanaians to see the cedi not merely as a medium of exchange, but as a symbol of national pride, sovereignty and identity.
He explained that respecting the currency was an act of patriotism that contributed to building a disciplined and financially responsible society.
Mr Owusu stated that the sensitisation drive would extend beyond Accra to all regions in the coming days and months.
He said the aim was to ensure that the message reached every corner of the country and transformed attitudes towards proper banknote usage.
“The Ghana cedi is our heritage, our national pride and our symbol of sovereignty.
We will continue this outreach nationwide to ensure every Ghanaian understands their role in protecting the dignity of our currency,” Mr Owusu stated.
Privilege
For her part, the President of GAMA described the campaign as timely and important, particularly as the cedi marked six decades of national use.
“We traders felt privileged to have the Governor among us here today to sensitise us on the proper use and handling of the Ghanaian cedi,” Ms Needjan said.
She stated that prices of goods had begun to ease ahead of the Christmas season, driven by recent stability in the exchange rate.
“We urge importers to reduce their prices further to reflect the gains the economy has recorded in recent times,” she added.
