The Bank of Ghana (BoG) is today, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, launching its new Heritage Series cedi banknotes at Bank Square in Accra, redesigning all eight notes from GH¢1 to GH¢200 in the first major upgrade of the currency in about two decades.
The central bank says the existing cedi notes remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the new ones, so the public does not need to rush to exchange or withdraw the old notes.
The launch date was first announced by BoG Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama on September 24, 2026, at the press conference after the 132nd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. GhanaTrends reported the announcement at the time in BoG Announces New Ghana Cedi Notes for November 3.
The series is themed “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last.”
Heritage Series covers all 8 cedi denominations
The upgrade applies to every cedi note now in use. No new denomination is being added.
- GH¢1
- GH¢2
- GH¢5
- GH¢10
- GH¢20
- GH¢50
- GH¢100
- GH¢200
The Bank of Ghana has also said there is no GH¢500 note in the new series. The cedi’s value does not change because of the redesign.
Why the Bank of Ghana is changing the cedi notes
Dr Asiama said the current designs have been in circulation for more than two decades. “The rapid modernisation of our banknotes is, therefore, imperative,” he said when he announced the plan.
According to the Governor, the upgrade responds to changes in how currency circulates, advances in printing technology and more sophisticated security standards worldwide.
The BoG says the upgrade will also support more efficient and cost-effective currency management.
New cedi notes security features and design
The central bank says the Heritage Series comes with enhanced security features to strengthen protection against counterfeiting. It has not yet published a full list of the specific features in its earlier announcements.
The notes are also built for improved durability so they can withstand frequent handling, which should cut the cost of replacing worn and damaged notes.
On design, the notes draw on Ghanaian iconography, culture and history, and are meant to honour national heroes, with each denomination telling part of Ghana’s story.
Old cedi notes vs new Heritage Series notes
- Legal tender: Old notes remain valid; new notes are also valid.
- Value: Unchanged – a GH¢50 old note is worth the same as a GH¢50 new note.
- Denominations: Same eight notes (GH¢1 to GH¢200) in both series.
- Exchange deadline: None announced; the BoG says there is no need to rush.
- Age of current design: More than 20 years in circulation.
What the new cedi notes mean for Ghanaians
For traders, commuters and households, nothing changes in day-to-day payments. Both old and new notes must be accepted, and the transition will be gradual.
Businesses, banks and the public are, however, being asked to take better care of banknotes. The Governor cautioned against crumpling, writing on or stapling notes.
The BoG has also warned against using cedi notes for “money bouquets”, spraying at events and other decorative uses, which it says shorten the life of the notes and raise replacement costs.
Ghanaians should also learn the features of the new notes as they enter circulation, to avoid being cheated with fake ones.
What happens next
After today’s launch, the new notes are expected to enter circulation gradually through the banking system, alongside the existing notes.
The public can follow official guidance on the notes and their features from the Bank of Ghana. No date has been announced for withdrawing the old notes.
Quick Summary: BoG Launches Heritage Series Cedi Notes Today: All 8 Notes From GH¢1 to GH¢200 Redesigned, Old Notes Stay Legal Tender
- What: Launch of the Heritage Series cedi banknotes
- When: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Where: Bank Square, Accra
- Notes affected: GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢50, GH¢100 and GH¢200
- Theme: “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last”
- Old notes: Remain legal tender; no need to rush to exchange them
- No GH¢500 note is part of the series
FAQs on BoG Launches Heritage Series Cedi Notes Today: All 8 Notes From GH¢1 to GH¢200 Redesigned, Old Notes Stay Legal Tender
Are the old Ghana cedi notes still valid?
Yes. The Bank of Ghana says the existing cedi notes remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the new Heritage Series notes.
Is there a new GH¢500 note in Ghana?
No. The Bank of Ghana has clarified that there is no GH¢500 note; the series covers only GH¢1 to GH¢200.
When are the new cedi notes being launched?
The Heritage Series is being launched on November 3, 2026, at Bank Square in Accra, with the notes to circulate gradually alongside the old ones.
In summary, the Bank of Ghana’s Heritage Series gives all eight cedi notes a new look and stronger security for the first time in about 20 years, but the old notes remain fully valid, their value is unchanged, and Ghanaians do not need to rush to swap them.
