Ghana’s new Heritage Series cedi banknotes will enter circulation from December 1, 2026, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) announced on Thursday, November 12, as President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the redesigned notes at Bank Square in Accra.
BoG Governor Dr Johnson Asiama told the gathering that the existing cedi notes remain legal tender and will circulate side by side with the new series, so Ghanaians do not need to rush to exchange the money they hold.
The launch, held under the theme “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last,” was attended by the Speaker of Parliament, government officials, clergy, traditional leaders and members of the financial sector.
It is the first major redesign of the cedi notes in more than two decades. GhanaTrends earlier reported that the Heritage Series was expected to enter circulation in December, and the central bank has now confirmed the exact date.
Heritage Series cedi notes to circulate from December 1
“The Heritage Series will be introduced into circulation from December 1, 2026,” Dr Asiama said at the launch.
He said the Bank “remains committed to a well-managed transition,” with the new notes being introduced gradually rather than replacing the old series overnight.
“Permit me to emphasise that the existing series remain legal tender,” the Governor stressed.
Old cedi notes will be withdrawn gradually, says Mahama
President Mahama said the new notes will run alongside the old ones and will not displace them immediately.
“The banks will withdraw the old notes gradually until the new notes takes over completely,” he said, according to 3News. No end date for the withdrawal of the old notes was announced.
The President described the cedi as “an enduring expression of our economic sovereignty” and linked the need for a stronger currency to the government’s New Economy Programme, which underpins the 2027 Budget due to be presented in Parliament later today.
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New cedi notes features: security, durability and heritage designs
According to the Bank of Ghana, the Heritage Series is built around three goals: harder-to-copy notes, longer-lasting notes, and designs that tell Ghana’s story.
- Heritage designs: national heroes, historic sites, monuments and Adinkra symbols, with each denomination telling a distinct story through the personalities featured on it.
- Enhanced security features: designed to make counterfeiting more difficult and to help the public identify genuine notes.
- Improved durability: the notes are made of reinforced cotton paper to withstand frequent handling and Ghana’s climate.
- More portable sizes: the redesigned notes are smaller and easier to handle than the current series.
The BoG says longer-lasting notes should reduce how often worn or damaged currency has to be replaced, lowering currency management costs over time.
BoG warns counterfeiters, unveils Cedi App and new cash centres
Dr Asiama issued a stern warning to would-be counterfeiters, saying “counterfeiting will soon become a very, very, very painful experience.”
The central bank also announced several measures to support the new series:
- A Cedi App to help the public learn the features of the Heritage Series, including support for persons with visual impairments.
- An in-house Enterprise Currency Operations Management Software (ECOMS) to improve coordination and currency management.
- New cash centres planned at BoG regional offices, including Tamale and Ho.
- Work with stakeholders on a Currency Act to modernise the cedi’s legal framework, including penalties for counterfeiting.
The Governor also said physical cash remains an essential part of Ghana’s monetary resilience, noting that “when such disruptions occur, physical cash provides a dependable means of exchange” during outages in electronic payment systems.
What the new cedi notes mean for Ghanaians and traders
For now, nothing changes in everyday transactions. The old notes in your wallet, at the market or in the bank remain valid and must be accepted.
From December 1, traders, transport operators and the public should expect to start receiving the new notes alongside the old ones, mostly through banks. Learning the new security features early will help people avoid fake notes during the changeover.
The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns that the House was not adequately briefed on the new notes and has questioned the transparency of the process.
What happens next
The Heritage Series notes will be released into circulation from December 1, 2026, with banks gradually withdrawing the old series over time. The Bank of Ghana is expected to continue its public education on the new notes’ features through the Cedi App and other channels. More details and official notices are available on the Bank of Ghana website.
Key details at a glance
- What: Ghana Heritage Series cedi banknotes
- Launched: Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Bank Square, Accra, by President Mahama
- Circulation date: December 1, 2026
- Old notes: remain legal tender; to be withdrawn gradually by banks
- Features: enhanced security, reinforced cotton paper, smaller sizes, heritage designs
- Support tools: Cedi App, ECOMS software, new regional cash centres
- Theme: “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last”
FAQs
When will the new Ghana cedi notes be in circulation?
The Bank of Ghana says the Heritage Series banknotes will be introduced into circulation from December 1, 2026.
Are the old cedi notes still valid?
Yes. The existing cedi notes remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the new notes until banks gradually withdraw them.
Do I need to exchange my old cedi notes?
No. There is no need to rush to exchange old notes, as the BoG says the transition will be gradual and both series will be used together.
The launch of the Heritage Series marks the biggest change to Ghana’s banknotes in over 20 years. With circulation set for December 1 and the old notes remaining legal tender, the Bank of Ghana is promising a smooth, gradual transition to more secure, durable notes that celebrate Ghana’s heritage.
