The long wait for the new Two Ghana Cedis note is over as the Central Bank governor Friday officially commissioned the note into circulation. The new note, the Bank of Ghana says, is meant to lessen the burden on the one Ghana Cedi note which hitherto was the next lower denominator below the five Ghana cedis note. Change arising from the use of the five Ghana cedi has regularly posed challenges. The worn-out state of the GH¢1 as the result of the pressure defeats the Bank’s Clean Note Policy, which seeks to ensure that only good quality banknotes remain in circulation. The introduction of the new denomination will therefore expand the series of banknotes in circulation, enhance exchangeability and facilitate transactions. In his pre-commissioning remarks, the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, implored Ghanaians to handle the new note with care in order to prolong its lifespan. He urged particularly men to put the money in wallets and not in their pockets and advised people not to squeeze the note at offerings in the churches. Mr Amissah-Arthur stated that henceforth the country’s currencies will be used to honour its heroes, explaining the rationale for putting an imposing picture of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah on the new note. The reverse of the banknote depicts the old and new Parliament buildings, signifying Ghana’s deepening democracy. The introduction of the new coincides with the conclusion of the year-long centenary celebrations of the birth of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, and has the commemorative text “CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF DR. KWAME NKRUMAH”. Future issues of the GH¢2 banknote are not expected to have this text; making this introductory issue a collector’s item. After his brief remarks, the Bank of Ghana Governor went into the Bank’s banking hall, cashed a cheque and received his money in the new currency - two cedis note. Journalists and observers scrambled for space to catch a glimpse of the new bank note. When the short ceremony was over, long queues of people seeking to be one of the firsts to handle the money, were formed in the bank’s premises. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana