Gone are the days when money was just coins and notes in people’s pockets. Today, the way Ghanaians earn, save, and spend is changing faster than ever, driven by digital payments, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenised instruments, and artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the Cedi@60 International Currency Conference, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama said the rapidly evolving global financial landscape requires careful guidance.
“Across the world, the landscape of money is shifting. Digital payments continue to reshape behaviour and expand access. Jurisdictions are advancing their thinking on CBDCs and tokenised instruments, raising new considerations around trust, interoperability, and privacy.
“Advances in artificial intelligence are redefining authentication, security, and lifecycle management. At the same time, global uncertainty, geopolitical realignments, and technology dependence all create new vulnerabilities for economies like ours,” he said.
He emphasized that these shifts are already affecting how Ghanaians earn, save, trade, and secure their futures. “They call for steady leadership, clarity in strategy, and stronger coordination across institutions,” he added, highlighting the importance of strategic direction and coordination across financial institutions to safeguard the Cedi.
Reflecting on 60 years of the Cedi, Governor Asiama said the currency has been more than just money; it has accompanied citizens into markets, homes, farms, and small businesses, carrying the aspirations and efforts of generations.
Looking ahead, young Ghanaians will interact with money in new ways, expecting speed, transparency, and convenience.
The Bank of Ghana’s ongoing payments modernisation and eCedi initiatives aim to balance inclusion, convenience, and security as the nation transitions into this new era of currency.
The conference, part of Ghana’s Cedi@60 celebrations, brings together central bankers, technology experts, and academics to explore the future of the cedi.
