Governor Johnson Pundit Asiama of the Bank of Ghana has emphasized the increasing complexity of handling a contemporary currency, emphasizing the interrelated roles that technology, security, payment systems, design, and international financial trends now play. He claimed that a stable and reliable currency requires effective cooperation between these sectors.
Delivering remarks at the Cedi@60 International Currency Conference in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, he reiterated that modern currency operations draw on several fields, each essential to maintaining the stability and integrity of the cedi.
He added that the 60th anniversary of the cedi presents a moment for reflection on the currency’s journey and its significance to Ghana’s economy and identity. According to him, the participation of President John Dramani Mahama at the event underscores the national priority of preserving the cedi’s value and ensuring its resilience.
He noted that for 60 years, the cedi has been central to everyday life in Ghana — from markets and roadside kiosks to farms and trotro stations — enabling trade, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to community and business growth.
Projecting forward, the Governor observed that younger Ghanaians now live in a digitally driven era marked by immediacy, convenience, and higher demands for openness. As a result, the nation must strategically prepare for the coexistence of physical currency and digital money.
He observed that worldwide changes — from the rise of AI and digital payments to the emergence of CBDCs, tokenized assets, and shifting geopolitical dynamics — are redefining how individuals build savings, conduct trade, and protect their financial future. These trends, he said, come with new vulnerabilities, making coordinated leadership across institutions more essential than ever.
Mr. Asiama noted that the Bank of Ghana is advancing payment system reforms and strengthening the e-cedi initiative to deliver secure, interoperable, locally relevant digital financial infrastructure. He further underscored the need to shield the cedi from dollarisation and other external pressures that could undermine Ghana’s economic independence.
He remarked that Ghana’s interaction with global partners is vital, given the transnational challenges of contemporary currency management. The conference convenes central bankers, payment system authorities, currency designers, security providers, academics, and industry leaders, reflecting the breadth and interconnectedness of the modern financial and monetary landscape.
