Ghana Is Building A Negative Heritage With Cocaine And Pollution – Professor Kwesi Yankah

Renowned linguistics professor at Ashesi University, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has criticised Ghana’s newly introduced heritage banknotes, arguing that the country is gradually building a negative national heritage characterised by drug trafficking, environmental destruction and controversies over national identity.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page on November 15, 2026, Professor Yankah described the new cedi notes as a reflection of what he called Ghana’s deteriorating national values. He questioned whether the Bank of Ghana had adequately considered the historical significance and accuracy of the personalities and images selected for the new currency.

Professor Yankah raised concerns about the rationale behind introducing the heritage series, questioning whether the existing banknotes had become so inadequate that they needed replacement. He also wondered whether the exercise was an attempt to print more money under the guise of celebrating Ghana’s heritage, particularly at a time when market women were complaining about poor sales and a shortage of money in circulation.

The professor argued that the public debate surrounding the new notes had largely focused on the identities and representations of the personalities featured on them, while more fundamental questions about Ghana’s national heritage remained unresolved. He suggested that some of the images could have been misrepresented or incorrectly matched with the names of the historical figures they were intended to honour.

He specifically questioned the representation of Theodosia Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag, and the apparent confusion involving her identity and that of renowned scientist Letitia Obeng. He explained that Obeng was a distinguished scientist and the first female president of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, adding that the reported mix-up was particularly unfortunate.

Professor Yankah also expressed concern about the image used to represent the late Cardinal Peter Dery on the GH¢2 note. Referring to criticism from a concerned Ghanaian, he described the alleged oversight as an unfortunate way of honouring a prominent religious figure.

Another issue he raised was the omission of five members of Ghana’s Big Six from the heritage banknotes, leaving only Dr Kwame Nkrumah represented. He questioned whether the other members, including J.B. Danquah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Ako Adjei and William Ofori Atta, had ceased to be important figures in Ghana’s national heritage.

He further questioned the inclusion of Esther Bosha, a Zimbabwean national and Emirates airline crew member, whose photograph was reportedly taken with market women during a visit to Ghana in 2023. Professor Yankah wondered why a foreign visitor should be considered suitable for representation on Ghana’s currency, comparing the decision to whether his own visit to Zimbabwe and admiration for the country would qualify him to appear on its banknotes.

Beyond the currency controversies, Professor Yankah turned his attention to what he described as Ghana’s growing association with cocaine trafficking and drug abuse. He accused the country of failing to confront the problem adequately, expressing concern about reports of drugs being transported through Ghanaian ports and the alleged involvement of some officials in such activities.

He also criticised the apparent lack of accountability surrounding drug-related arrests and prosecutions, arguing that the country was not demonstrating sufficient urgency in addressing the problem. He warned that the situation was particularly worrying because young people were increasingly exposed to drug abuse in their homes and schools.

The professor extended his criticism to illegal mining and environmental degradation, describing the pollution of Ghana’s rivers and streams as another disturbing part of the country’s emerging heritage. He lamented that water bodies, including the Volta River, were facing pollution, while toxic mining activities were threatening aquatic life, agricultural production and the wellbeing of communities.

He also raised concerns about the sexual abuse of schoolchildren, particularly the protection of minors, questioning the apparent failure of adults and security institutions to adequately safeguard vulnerable children. He argued that such developments reflected a broader deterioration of the country’s moral values and national responsibility.

Professor Yankah concluded that Ghana’s heritage should represent the country’s achievements, values and historical identity rather than the challenges currently confronting it. He described the newly introduced currency as having been launched amid what he called a culture of negative heritage and demanded accountability over the financial implications of the exercise.

He consequently directed attention to the Attorney-General, asking how much the country might have lost in the process and calling for answers on possible financial losses to the state.

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