Dr Kwame Adinkrah Slams BoG Over Selection Of National Heroes On New Banknotes

Dr Kwame Adinkrah has questioned the process used to select national heroes featured on Ghana’s newly introduced banknotes, arguing that the Bank of Ghana should have provided clear answers before unveiling the new currency.

His concerns come amid growing public discussions about the Heritage Series banknotes unveiled by President John Dramani Mahama and Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Asiama on Thursday, November 12, 2026, in Accra.

According to Dr Adinkrah, Ghanaians deserve to know who was responsible for selecting the historical personalities featured on the new banknotes and what standards were used to make those decisions.

He believes these important questions should have been addressed publicly before the official unveiling instead of leaving citizens to seek explanations after the notes had already been introduced.

The introduction of the Heritage Series is expected to recognise prominent Ghanaian personalities who contributed to the country’s history, independence, development and national identity.

However, the selection of individuals for such recognition has generated conversations about fairness, national representation and the importance of properly documenting Ghana’s history.

Dr Adinkrah’s comments have added to the debate, particularly following questions raised by members of the family of Theodosia Salome Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.

A family member, Dr Eddie Obeng, recently raised concerns about the portrait used on the new GH¢50 note, claiming that the image looked like his mother, Dr Letitia Obeng, rather than his aunt, Theodosia Okoh.

The Bank of Ghana has defended the portrait, with board member Beatrice Annan explaining that the image was developed using three authentic photographs of Theodosia Okoh from different stages of her life.

Despite the explanation, the controversy has increased public interest in how the personalities were selected and how their identities were verified before the notes were approved.

Dr Adinkrah’s intervention highlights a broader issue about public involvement and transparency in decisions involving national symbols and historical recognition.

For many citizens, featuring a personality on Ghana’s currency is more than simply printing a face on a banknote. It represents national appreciation, historical recognition and the preservation of the country’s heritage.

Questions about who made the selections, the criteria used and whether relevant families and historical experts were consulted are therefore important.

The Bank of Ghana may need to provide further explanations to help Ghanaians understand the thinking behind the selection process and address the concerns emerging after the unveiling.

As the Heritage Series prepares to enter circulation, the debate over the personalities featured on the notes is likely to remain part of the national conversation.

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