The Director and Head of Currency Management at the Bank of Ghana, Mr Dominic Owusu, has called on Ghanaians to treat the national currency with care and respect, describing the cedi as a symbol of the nation’s dignity and identity.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, October 27, Mr Owusu emphasised that the appearance and condition of the cedi reflect not only the economy but also the character and pride of the Ghanaian people.
“We have nowhere to go as Ghanaians; this is our country, and the cedi is our identity,” he said. “When you talk about the pound, you think of the British. When you talk about the dollar, you think of the Americans. The dignity of the cedi depends on us Ghanaians. Nobody is going to come from outside to respect our currency. It is we Ghanaians who must do that, because this is what we have and what we represent,” he said.
Mr Owusu highlighted that the physical state of a nation’s currency often shapes visitors’ first impressions.
“When anyone arrives in your country, the quality of the money they encounter at the airport says a lot about your nation,” he explained.
“Since the cedi symbolises our dignity, mishandling it means mishandling our dignity.”
He further noted that the cleanliness of the nation’s currency mirrors the quality of life of its citizens, introducing a memorable slogan to capture the message: “Clean Cedi, Clean Country – CCCC.”
“There’s always a saying that the quality of notes in circulation mirrors the quality of the lives of the people. Clean cedi, clean country. Dirty cedi, dirty Ghana,” he stated.
Mr Owusu urged the public to refrain from writing on, stapling, or folding banknotes, as such practices shorten their lifespan and increase the central bank’s costs in replacing damaged notes.
The Bank of Ghana has, in recent years, stepped up its campaign to promote proper currency handling and foster respect for the cedi as part of a broader effort to strengthen national pride and reduce waste.
Mr Owusu appealed to all citizens to see the cedi as a national symbol deserving of honour and care.
“It behoves us as good citizens to respect the currency and keep it clean,” he said. “The cedi is our pride, our identity, and our dignity as a people.”
Meanwhile, The Bank of Ghana (BoG) is set to officially launch the “Cedi@60” celebration at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Tuesday, 29th October 2025.
The event will commemorate 60 years since the introduction of the Ghana cedi, the nation’s official currency and a symbol of economic independence and national pride.