President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday opened the Cedi@60 International Conference in Accra, calling for sustained macroeconomic discipline, technological innovation, and institutional independence to safeguard Ghana’s currency and economic future.
The two-day conference, jointly organized by the Bank of Ghana and Currency Research, brings together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and practitioners from 42 countries to deliberate on currency management, monetary governance, and digital finance in a rapidly evolving global monetary landscape.
President Mahama commended the Bank of Ghana and its partners for convening a “distinguished community” to discuss the future of money, stressing that “the future of money is inextricably linked to the future of national development, institutional credibility, and global economic integration.”
He noted that 60 years ago, Ghana introduced the Cedi not merely as a medium of exchange but as “a declaration of independence, our identity, and the capacity of our state.”
Over the decades, the Cedi has anchored monetary policy, absorbed shocks, and symbolized the resilience of the Ghanaian economy.
“The Cedi at 60 is more than a celebration; it is a moment for analysis and a chance to consider what our currency stands for, how it has developed, and how it must be fortified for the years ahead,” the President said.
Highlighting Ghana’s recent economic progress, President Mahama cited macroeconomic stabilization through fiscal consolidation, improved forex liquidity management, and enhanced reserve buffers. These measures, he said, had restored confidence and contributed to exchange rate stability.
He announced that Ghana’s sovereign rating was recently upgraded by S&P from CCC+/C to B-/B with a stable outlook, describing it as “an affirmation that our fundamentals are strengthening and that we are on a clear path of recovery.”
The President reaffirmed government’s commitment to safeguarding the independence of the Bank of Ghana, describing it as “an economic necessity” for anchoring inflation expectations, maintaining exchange rate stability, and enhancing investor confidence.
He urged the central bank to intensify public education on three fronts: the importance of using the national currency, proper currency handling practices, and financial literacy.
“An informed citizenry is better able to prevent fraud, demand accountability, and bolster the financial ecosystem,” he said.
President Mahama also underscored the relevance of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System under the African Continental Free Trade Area, calling it a “catalyst for seamless transactions across the continent.”
“As we commemorate the Cedi at 60, let us commit ourselves to shaping a currency and an economy that reflects the hopes and aspirations of our people,” he said.
Dr. Johnson Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, described the event as a continuation of the Cedi@60 celebrations, emphasizing the currency’s role in Ghana’s economic sovereignty and resilience.
He urged participants to engage fully in shaping the next chapter of the Cedi amid global shifts toward digital payments and central bank digital currencies.
The conference, which has attracted over 850 participants from 228 organizations, will feature 20 topical sessions on currency design, security, payments modernization, and fintech regulation.