Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has reiterated the government’s firm commitment to protecting the value of the Ghanaian Cedi, describing it as the foundation of the nation’s economic independence and a “sacred national duty.”
Speaking at the launch of the Cedi@60 Anniversary Celebration at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr. Forson emphasized that maintaining a strong and stable national currency remains central to the government’s economic agenda.
“As managers of the economy, we have remained steadfast in our duty to ensure a strong and very stable currency,” he said, highlighting that fiscal discipline continues to play a crucial role in stabilizing the Cedi.
Dr. Forson noted that despite global economic challenges, the government has stayed the course to protect recent gains made in the currency’s performance.
“Our commitment to fiscal discipline has contributed to the strengthening of the Ghana Cedi. We want to use this opportunity to commit that the Government of Ghana shall stay the course to ensure that the Ghana Cedi remains stable and that the gains we have seen are maintained,” he stressed.
The Finance Minister also called on Ghanaians to play their part in safeguarding the integrity of the Cedi, urging businesses and individuals to desist from quoting prices in foreign currencies, especially the US dollar.
“We must maintain the sanctity of the Cedi as a legal tender by preserving it with dignity and protecting it jealously,” he said. “We must eschew acts that undermine the value of the currency, particularly the pricing of goods and services in foreign currency.”
Dr. Forson concluded with a firm reminder of the Cedi’s status as Ghana’s sole legal tender:
“The US dollar is not our currency. The Cedi is our only currency.”
The Cedi@60 Anniversary celebration marks six decades since the introduction of Ghana’s own currency, a milestone that underscores the nation’s economic identity and sovereignty.
