The Bank of Ghana’s new Heritage Series cedi notes may not reach the public until early December, about two weeks after their official launch on Thursday, November 12, 2026, JoyBusiness reported on Tuesday, November 10, citing sources familiar with the plans.
According to the report, a phased release through commercial banks could begin in the first week of December. The gap is meant to give banks time to recalibrate ATMs and cash-handling machines and to allow public education on the new notes.
The Heritage Series covers eight denominations — GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢50, GH¢100 and GH¢200. Coins are not part of the upgrade, and officials have stressed it is not a redenomination and does not change the value of the cedi.
Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama first announced the upgrade on September 24 at the Monetary Policy Committee briefing. GhanaTrends reported at the time that the BoG announced new Ghana cedi notes for November 3, a date that was later moved to November 12.
New cedi notes launch on November 12, circulation later
The November 12 event is an unveiling only. The Bank of Ghana’s Director of Currency Management, Dominic Owusu, had earlier explained that the notes would not enter circulation on the launch day.
The unveiling is expected at Bank Square in Accra, with President John Mahama expected to lead the ceremony at 10am, according to JoyBusiness.
The BoG has also promised to invite disability groups to handle and test the new notes after the unveiling and before they are issued to the general public.
Why the Heritage Series notes will take weeks to reach the public
Commercial banks need time to calibrate their ATMs and cash-processing systems to recognise the new notes, JoyBusiness reported.
Sources said the central bank wants to avoid a repeat of the problems seen when the GH¢200 note was introduced, when some ATMs could not accept it because they had not been calibrated in time.
The delay also gives room for a public education campaign on how to identify and authenticate the new notes.
Launch date clashes with the 2027 Budget
The November 12 launch falls on the same day the 2027 Budget is due to be presented to Parliament. Sources told JoyBusiness that the BoG will keep the date because international guests, including representatives of the banknote printing house, had already booked flights and accommodation before the budget date was announced.
Organisers hope to finish the launch in time for Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to present the budget later that day.
Old cedi notes remain legal tender
The Bank of Ghana says existing notes remain legal tender and will circulate side by side with the Heritage Series.
Governor Asiama has urged the public not to rush to exchange or withdraw existing notes. Mr Owusu has said that “both the old and the new will continue to be legal tender until further notice.”
No deadline has been set for swapping old notes, and no withdrawal date has been announced.
New cedi notes at a glance: old vs new
- Denominations: GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢50, GH¢100, GH¢200 — no note above GH¢200
- Coins: Not affected
- Value of the cedi: Unchanged — not a redenomination
- Old notes: Remain legal tender until further notice
- Original unveiling date: November 3, 2026
- New unveiling date: November 12, 2026
- Possible circulation start: First week of December (per JoyBusiness sources)
Security and accessibility features of the Heritage Series
The BoG says the notes carry enhanced security features and improved durability to fight counterfeiting. Sources told JoyBusiness that concerns about counterfeiting of existing notes drove the push for stronger security.
The designs honour national heroes and celebrate Ghana’s culture and identity, under the theme “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last.” The current notes have been in circulation for more than two decades.
For visually impaired users, each denomination has a different size and tactile marks have been enhanced. The BoG is also exploring an app that scans a note and announces its value, and a separate app to check whether a note is genuine.
What the new cedi notes mean for Ghanaians
For now, nothing changes in daily transactions. The notes in people’s wallets remain valid, and there is no need to queue at banks to swap them.
Once the new notes are released, traders, transport operators and consumers will need to learn the new security features to avoid counterfeits. The BoG has advised the public to rely only on its official information and ignore social media claims about higher-value notes.
Businesses that use cash-counting machines and banks running ATMs are the most directly affected, as their equipment must be updated before the notes go into wide use.
What happens next
President Mahama is expected to unveil the Heritage Series on Thursday, November 12. After that, the BoG is expected to roll out public education and invite disability groups to test the notes.
A phased release through commercial banks could then follow from early December, though the central bank has not officially announced a circulation date.
Key details at a glance
- The Heritage Series cedi notes will be unveiled on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
- Circulation could start in the first week of December through commercial banks, sources say.
- The series covers eight notes from GH¢1 to GH¢200, including GH¢2.
- Old notes remain legal tender, with no deadline to exchange them.
- It is not a redenomination; the cedi’s value does not change.
- Banks need time to recalibrate ATMs to avoid problems seen with the GH¢200 note.
- The launch falls on the same day as the 2027 Budget presentation.
FAQs
When will the new Ghana cedi notes be in circulation?
The notes will be unveiled on November 12, 2026, but JoyBusiness sources say a phased release through banks could begin in the first week of December. The BoG has not officially confirmed a circulation date.
Will the old cedi notes still be accepted?
Yes. The Bank of Ghana says existing notes remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the new notes until further notice. There is no deadline to exchange them.
Is the Heritage Series a redenomination of the cedi?
No. Officials say the upgrade does not change the value of the cedi. It introduces redesigned notes with stronger security and durability features.
The Heritage Series cedi notes will be shown to Ghanaians on November 12, but they are unlikely to reach wallets until December as banks prepare their ATMs and the BoG educates the public. Until then, and well after, the current notes remain valid for all transactions.
