New Ghana Cedi notes to circulate alongside old banknotes – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana’s new Heritage Series banknotes will circulate alongside existing Cedi notes, with the Bank of Ghana expected to withdraw the old currency gradually.

He gave the assurance during the official launch of the new banknotes at the Bank Square in Accra on Thursday, November 12, 2026, amid public attention surrounding the introduction of the upgraded currency.

President Mahama stressed that the launch would not render existing banknotes invalid or require Ghanaians to exchange their money immediately.

“As the Governor said, the new notes will run side by side with the old heritage notes. We are not displacing the old heritage notes. The banks will withdraw the old notes gradually until the new notes take over completely,” he said.

The clarification is intended to reassure traders, businesses and members of the public that transactions can continue using the existing currency as the new series enters circulation.

The Heritage Series, introduced under the theme, “The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last,” forms part of the Bank of Ghana’s efforts to modernise the national currency.

The new notes have been designed with improved security features and greater durability. President Mahama disclosed that they are produced using reinforced cotton paper and are smaller and easier to handle.

“As the Governor said, the new series we introduce today is made of reinforced cotton paper, and is designed to last longer than the old heritage symbols we are replacing. The new notes are also smaller and easier to handle,” he said.

The Bank of Ghana had earlier explained that the existing core banknote designs had been in circulation for more than two decades, making periodic upgrades necessary to meet modern security standards and improve currency management.

The central bank has also urged the public to handle banknotes responsibly to preserve their quality and reduce the cost of replacing damaged currency.

The introduction of the Heritage Series is therefore not an immediate replacement exercise but a gradual transition, with the old and new notes expected to remain in circulation together during the changeover.