UN Praises Ghana for Putting Kofi Annan on the New 100 Cedi Note – Here’s What They Said

The United Nations has welcomed the decision by Ghana to feature the late former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the country’s new GH¢100 Heritage Series banknote. According to the UN, putting Mr Annan’s image on the note is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to international peace, human rights and diplomacy. The recognition has been described as well-deserved, given the global impact of his work and the pride he brought to Ghana through his service on the world stage.

Kofi Annan, who passed away in 2018, was the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations and served from 1997 to 2006. He was the first black African to hold the position and remains one of Ghana’s most celebrated international figures. During his time at the UN, he championed peacekeeping efforts, pushed for human rights protections and worked to reform the organisation. In 2001, he and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to create a better organised and more peaceful world.

The UN’s welcome of the banknote design adds a significant voice of support to the Heritage Series, which the Bank of Ghana recently announced as a way of celebrating the country’s national icons. The GH¢100 note featuring Mr Annan is part of a set of new banknotes that honour Ghanaians who have made outstanding contributions to the nation’s identity and development. For many Ghanaians, seeing a global diplomat of Annan’s stature on a banknote is a source of national pride and a reminder of the country’s role in international affairs.

The recognition also comes at a time when the Bank of Ghana has faced public criticism over another note in the same series – the GH¢50 note featuring flag designer Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh, whose portrait was questioned by her family and the public. Against that backdrop, the UN’s endorsement of the Kofi Annan note offers a positive moment for the central bank and highlights the importance of getting heritage representations right. It shows that when institutions carefully and accurately honour national figures, the recognition can resonate far beyond Ghana’s borders.

For the ordinary Ghanaian, the message is simple: Kofi Annan’s face on the 100 Cedi note is more than just a design – it is a statement that Ghana values peace, diplomacy and service to humanity. The UN’s praise reinforces that the world sees Mr Annan as a son of Ghana whose legacy belongs to everyone. As the new notes prepare to enter circulation, the hope is that they will remind Ghanaians of the values Annan stood for and inspire the next generation to carry his torch of peace and integrity.

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