The Question Is Whether This Is The Right Time To Embark On Such An Exercise—PK

According to a Post on PK Sarpong official facebook account on Thursday, November 12,2026,Ghanaian social commentator P.K. Sarpong has criticised Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama over plans to introduce newly designed banknotes, questioning the timing and financial justification of the proposed exercise amid the central bank’s reported GH¢93.82 billion negative equity.

In a Facebook post shared as part of his series, Whispers from the Corridors of the Thinking Place, Sarpong argued that the Bank of Ghana should concentrate on restoring its financial stability rather than committing resources to a currency redesign programme whose cost and necessity have not been adequately explained.

He expressed concern that the central bank was considering introducing new banknotes at a time when it was grappling with substantial financial losses and requiring recapitalisation to strengthen its balance sheet.

Citing the Bank of Ghana’s reported 2025 financial position, which showed negative equity of approximately GH¢93.82 billion, Sarpong described the situation as a major financial challenge that should demand the immediate attention of the Governor and his management team.

According to him, an institution experiencing such financial difficulties must demonstrate strict financial discipline and carefully scrutinise every major expenditure, particularly when public resources may be required to support its recovery.

Although he acknowledged the importance of modernising Ghana’s currency, Sarpong questioned whether the proposed redesign was an urgent priority under the prevailing economic circumstances.

He argued that the central issue was not whether Ghana needed modern banknotes but whether the country could justify spending on a new currency programme while the central bank itself was struggling to address its financial difficulties.

EmpressBlog feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com