President John Dramani Mahama has described the 60th anniversary of the Ghanaian cedi as more than a celebration, calling it a crucial moment to reflect on the currency’s significance, resilience, and future.

Speaking at the Cedi@60 commemoration event by the Bank of Ghana in Accra, themed “Sovereignty, Stability, and Economic Resilience,” President Mahama said: “Cedi@60 is more than just a celebration. It is a moment for analysis. It is the chance to consider what our currency stands for, how it has developed, and how it must be fortified for the years ahead.”

Reflecting on the introduction of the cedi six decades ago, President Mahama said: “60 years ago, Ghana took a bold and sovereign step by introducing the cedi, not merely as a unit of account or as a medium of exchange, but as a declaration of independence, our identity, and the capacity of our state.”

The President further highlighted the cedi’s role in shaping Ghana’s economy: “The cedi symbolises our national aspiration to govern our own affairs, regulate our market, and stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations in managing our own monetary destinies. Over 60 years now, the cedi has anchored the conduct of our monetary policy. It has shaped the expectations of households and businesses, it has absorbed shocks, domestic, regional, and global shocks; and it symbolises the resilience of the Ghanaian economy and the Ghanaian people.”

The Cedi@60 celebration marks six decades since Ghana introduced its national currency, replacing the Ghanaian Pound in 1965, a milestone symbolising the nation’s enduring pursuit of economic sovereignty and stability.

The commemoration brought together policymakers, economists, and financial experts to celebrate the cedi’s legacy and discuss strategies for strengthening Ghana’s monetary stability in the years ahead