Audio By Carbonatix
Ghana’s currency slumped to a record against the dollar after a dovish tilt by the nation’s central bank reduced the appeal of fixed-income assets, sapping foreign-investor demand for the country’s bonds.
The cedi has weakened 11 percent this year, the most among more than 140 currencies tracked by Bloomberg, after the central bank unexpectedly cut its benchmark rate in January and signaled more easing may be in store.
Out of the 2.1 billion cedis ($393 million) of two-year and longer-dated maturities sold by the government through Jan. 31 this year, foreign investors bought just 6.3 percent, according to data from the Central Securities Depository Ghana Ltd. That compares with more than 30 percent in 2018.
“Declining capital inflows from offshore demand for the country’s cedi bonds, coupled with maturities not being rolled over, will affect foreign-exchange supply on the market going forward,” Gaimin Nonyane, a senior macroeconomic specialist at Ecobank Group in London, said by phone. Companies stocking up on dollars before transferring earnings in March also weighed on the cedi, she said.
The cedi declined 0.4 percent to 5.5175 per dollar by 11:52 a.m. in Accra, the capital, heading for the weakest level since Bloomberg started keeping the records in 1994. The currency slumped 3.1 percent on Thursday, and is down 4.9 percent this week.
A members of the Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Committee said this month rates could be eased further as early as March, following the 100 basis points cut to 16 percent on Jan. 28.
A planned Eurobond sale may support the currency as the central bank uses proceeds to replenish its foreign reserves.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s Starlets step up training ahead of second friendly with Morocco
29 minutes -
COCOBOD says $1.4bn domestic funding is a strategic shift, not market exclusion
1 hour -
Richmond Quarcoo appointed Ghana’s Chef de Mission for 2028 Olympics
2 hours -
‘Our missing players are more important’ – Gambia coach fires shot at Ghana
3 hours -
Today’s front pages: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
3 hours -
Ghana ‘showing up differently’ on global stage – Joyce Bawah Mogtari
3 hours -
Ghana’s tuna industry in crisis as 20 hook-and-line vessels collapse
4 hours -
South Tongu MP launches apprenticeship programme for 159 young people
4 hours -
The Pusiga connection behind Gertrude Atongi’s work in New York
5 hours -
Teachers took promotion exams in December to beat government clearance deadline – GNAT
5 hours -
NPA launches 2026 staff welfare week with focus on teamwork and employee wellbeing
5 hours -
Ghana, Saint Kitts and Nevis sign labour deal to strengthen protections for Ghanaian nurses
5 hours -
Delayed promotions put teachers’ retirement benefits at risk – GNAT
5 hours -
No ‘Bawumia candidates’ in NPP executive elections – Anthony Karbo
5 hours -
Over 3,000 displaced as flooding overwhelms Hohoe communities
5 hours