The Ghana cedi, which buys bread, pays trotro fares, and drives the wheels of daily life, turned 60 this year is not just currency; but represents something more, says Clare Lombardelli, the Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy at the Bank of England.
Speaking at the Pan-African Central Bank Governors’ Conference in Accra, Lombardelli described the Cedi@60 milestone as a powerful symbol of Ghana’s “sovereignty, resilience, and economic aspiration.”
She said the cedi’s six-decade journey reflects the enduring spirit of Ghanaians and the vital role central banks play in shaping a nation’s economic destiny.
A Currency Born of Independence
The cedi, through the years after independence, has suffered numerous economic turmoils. From the inflation spikes of the 1980s to the currency redenominations and now the complex balancing act between stability and growth, the cedi has survived storms that could have broken lesser economies.
The endurance of the cedi amidst the turbulence, Lombardelli recognised that “The journey of the Cedi is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Ghanaian people and the pivotal role that central banks play in shaping the economic destiny of nations.”
She therefore applauded the Central Bank of Ghana for the management of the cedi throughout its history.
“Please join me in congratulating the Bank of Ghana and the people of Ghana on this remarkable milestone,” she courted.
The Cedi and the Central Bank
Lombardelli used the occasion to reflect on the role of the Bank of Ghana, describing it as a guardian of national stability and a symbol of institutional endurance.
She noted that central banks are not just regulators of money supply; they are architects of trust, responsible for anchoring confidence in the economy. She maintained that the journey of the cedi underscores how central banks help shape the economic destiny of nations.
In a time when inflation, exchange rate pressures, and global shocks test the limits of monetary systems, Lombardelli encouraged African central banks to continue strengthening their independence, accountability, and credibility, especially in how they communicate with parliaments, the press, and the public.
A Celebration Beyond Numbers
Beyond policy and exchange rates, Lombardelli emphasized that the Ghana cedi is a symbol of national pride. Sixty years of a national currency means 60 years of a people believing in their ability to define value for themselves.
She noted that the cedi’s story mirrors Ghana’s resilience, which is seen daily in how ordinary citizens adapt, innovate, and rebuild through every economic challenge.
“The celebration of Cedi@60 marks six decades since the introduction of Ghana’s national currency, a symbol of sovereignty, resilience, and economic aspiration,” she observed.
Ghana’s Other Global Pride
In the same breath, Lombardelli celebrated another Ghanaian success story; Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director for Finance at the Bank of England, who was recently ranked as the Number 1 Most Influential Black Person in the UK on the 2026 Powerlist.
She indicated that Afua Kyei’s achievement is not just a personal victory, but a reflection of Ghana’s global influence and its growing footprint in international finance.
“Another important Ghanaian heritage worthy of celebration is Afua Kyei, the Bank of England’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director for Finance, who was recently announced as the Number 1 Most Influential Black Person in the UK on the 2026 Powerlist,” she narrated.
