When Ghanaians talk about the cedi, it is more than a discussion about money; it is about survival, trust, and national pride. Every market woman who worries about rising prices, every business that plans its next shipment, and every student saving for fees feels the pulse of the cedi in real time.
It is this emotional and economic connection that Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang touched on when she addressed the launch of the Cedi@60 anniversary celebration at the Accra International Conference Centre.
In a candid address, she urged her own government to “lead by example” in protecting the cedi’s stability, calling for fiscal restraint, transparency, and responsibility at all levels. Her message was both patriotic and pointed, a reminder that keeping the cedi strong is not just a matter of policy but of principle.
“Government must lead by example and commit to real fiscal discipline. No more reckless borrowing or deficits that pass today’s problems to tomorrow’s generations. Every loan must be tied to returns, and every cedi spent to value,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
Her remarks came at a time when Ghana is celebrating six decades of monetary sovereignty but also facing the realities of exchange rate pressures, inflation, and public spending challenges.
Anchoring Confidence Through Discipline
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the cedi’s strength cannot rest on monetary policy alone. It must be built on trust, trust earned when government lives within its means, institutions act independently, and citizens show confidence in their own currency.
She emphasized that macroeconomic stability should not be treated as an abstract goal but as something that affects daily life.
“A reliable cedi helps businesses and industries to plan and attract long-term investments. For farmers, it means stable input costs; for students, predictable fees; and for households, lower inflation and affordable living,” she said.
Ending the Culture of Dollarisation
Addressing one of the economy’s persistent challenges, dollarisation, the Vice President said too many goods and services continue to be priced in U.S. dollars, a practice that undermines confidence in the cedi.
“We must uphold the legal tender status of the cedi. If you earn in cedis, you must be able to transact in cedis,” she said.
She called on the Bank of Ghana, financial institutions, and the private sector to promote local currency transactions and strengthen digital payment systems that make it easier for businesses and individuals to transact in cedis both online and offline.
Protecting the Independence of the Bank of Ghana
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that one of the strongest safeguards for the cedi’s stability is an independent central bank.
“The Bank of Ghana must remain a steward of stability. Its autonomy is not a luxury; it is a necessity for maintaining the credibility of our financial system,” she said.
She commended the Bank for measures that have helped to reduce inflation and restore investor confidence but emphasized that monetary policy must go hand in hand with fiscal discipline.
Digital Finance and the Future of the Cedi
The Vice President highlighted the government’s support for financial technology and innovation as part of efforts to modernize the economy.
She praised the E-Cedi, Ghana’s digital currency, as a step toward making payments more efficient and transparent.
“The future of finance is digital,” she noted. “As we embrace innovation, we must also ensure inclusion so that every Ghanaian, from urban entrepreneurs to rural traders, benefits from a modern financial system.”
A Collective Duty to Protect the Cedi
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang ended with a reminder that defending the cedi is not just the duty of the government or the central bank, but of every Ghanaian.
“Restoring confidence in the cedi is a collective task. The cedi is as strong as the institutions that protect it and as trustworthy as the people who use it,” she said.
Her speech captured a national truth: the cedi’s value is a reflection of Ghana’s discipline and belief in itself.
Governor Highlights Progress on Stability
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, in his remarks, highlighted recent gains in economic stability. He noted that inflation had dropped sharply from 54.1 percent in December 2022 to 9.4 percent in September 2025, while Ghana’s gross international reserves have surpassed 12 billion U.S. dollars.
Dr. Asiama urged Ghanaians and all stakeholders to support efforts by the managers of the economy to sustain this progress and maintain confidence in the local currency.
As the nation marks 60 years of the cedi, the Vice President’s message serves as both a celebration and a challenge, to protect the currency that tells the story of Ghana’s independence, resilience, and shared economic future.
