ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
In 2015, mobile money transactions accounted for just 3.4% of RTGS transaction value.
By 2024, that figure had grown to nearly half.
This tells us something important: digital payments are no longer peripheral.
They have become a central pillar of our financial ecosystem.
Households, MSMEs, and corporates now transact daily through channels that are faster, simpler, and increasingly interoperable.
As digital payments grow, the need for a secure, sovereign, and interoperable digital currency becomes urgent.
This is where the eCedi comes in.
It builds on our existing progress, ensuring that every Ghanaian— regardless of location or institution— can transact seamlessly within a trusted, central-bank-backed framework.
It represents the next frontier of Ghana’s digital journey: a more progressive, resilient, and inclusive economy.
This strategic initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader national digitisation agenda.
The eCedi will provide a secure digital payment option that complements our evolving digital economy.
It will enhance financial inclusion by offering a more affordable digital payment alternative, particularly for underserved populations.
It will improve efficiency in currency management, digitising processes that remain manual and costly.
And finally, it will mitigate risks associated with unregulated private digital currencies by offering a secure, regulated alternative that meets the growing demand for digital payment instruments.
What is the eCedi?
The eCedi is Ghana’s Central Bank Digital Currency— a digital representation of the Ghanaian cedi, issued and regulated by the Bank of Ghana.
It is designed to provide a secure, accessible, and efficient digital payment system that complements our existing financial infrastructure.
It has the potential to enhance financial inclusion and support economic development by modernising transactions and reducing the cost of financial services.
With features such as accessibility and offline payments, the eCedi supports our inclusion agenda by expanding access to digital financial services, especially for underserved communities.
Why the eCedi Matters The eCedi represents more than just technological innovation.
It is a strategic step in strengthening Ghana’s financial system for the digital age.
First, it will enhance payment efficiency and resilience.
A central -bank-backed digital instrument will make everyday payments faster, safer, and more reliable—even during market stress.
Second, it will deepen financial inclusion by providing access through digital wallets, mobile platforms, and other low-cost channels.
Third, it will strengthen trust, transparency, and security.
Every eCedi transaction carries the assurance of regulatory oversight and traceability, helping reduce fraud, counterfeiting, and illicit financial activity.
The eCedi also supports innovation and digital economy growth.
It provides a platform for fintechs and banks to develop new services and digital commerce solutions that enhance productivity.
It improves monetary policy transmission, enabling better monitoring of money supply and quicker responses to macroeconomic conditions.
Taken together, these benefits position the eCedi to strengthen Ghana’s leadership in digital finance.
Key Enablers of the Digital Cedi Ghana is uniquely positioned for successful eCedi adoption because of the strength of our foundational digital infrastructure: a robust national ID system, a comprehensive digital addressing system, and a well -established payments ecosystem supported by interoperability across platforms.
Our vibrant community of digitally savvy entrepreneurs and consumers, especially among the youth, further strengthens the case for central bank digital currency.
Challenges to Address Despite the opportunities, there are challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation.
Digital literacy gaps persist, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Many lack the skills needed to use digital wallets and financial technologies effectively.
Comprehensive digital literacy program mes will be essential to build user trust and promote safe adoption.
As with any digital product, the eCedi faces cybersecurity risks.
These can be mitigated through high security standards, including technical safeguards such as separating the issuance and distribution modules of the eCedi core infrastructure.
Limited access to digital infrastructure in some areas, such as unreliable connectivity and limited device availability, may hinder usage.
Offline functionality has therefore been built into the eCedi to support secure transactions without internet access.
Data protection is another critical concern.
The system will inevitably collect sensitive transactional information.
Strong data protection policies will be essential to prevent misuse or unauthorised access.
The Future of Ghana’s Economy with the eCedi The eCedi is a key pillar of Ghana’s digital future.
It will create a more efficient payment ecosystem—faster, safer, and more reliable for individuals and businesses.
It will advance financial inclusion, resilience, and stability, while strengthening liquidity management and monetary policy transmission.
It will drive digital transformation and competitiveness, empowering innovators and MSMEs and contributing to economic growth and improved welfare.
And it will reinforce Ghana’s leadership in Africa’s digital finance landscape, demonstrating how innovation and trust can coexist under a strong regulatory framework.
The eCedi represents Ghana’s next step toward a resilient, inclusive, and digitally driven economy.
Conclusion In conclusion, the eCedi marks a pivotal step in Ghana’s digital transformation.
It is not merely a new form of money— it is a strategic instrument for strengthening our financial system and advancing national development.
Through the eCedi, we are enhancing financial sovereignty, promoting inclusion, and fostering innovation across the economy.
Together, these pillars will help ensure that Ghana’s digital future is modern, efficient, secure, inclusive, and uniquely Ghanaian.
Long live the cedi.
Long live Ghana.
CEDI@60 INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY CONFERENCE WELCOME REMARKS BY DR.
JOHNSON PANDIT ASIAMA GOVERNOR, BANK OF GHANA ACCRA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE 18 NOVEMBER 2025 Your Excellency, Distinguished Governors, Colleagues from across the currency, payments, and security ecosystem, Esteemed partners from Currency Research, Ladies and gentlemen.
Good morning, and welcome.
It is a pleasure to gather in this space with leaders whose work supports the foundations of modern financial systems.
This conference provides a unique platform for experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to come together and discuss the latest trends, ch allenges, and opportunities in the world of currency.
I am confident that the discussions and conversations that wi ll take place over the next two days will be insightful, engaging, and valuable for all participants.
Let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for their commitment to advancing our unders tanding of currency and its impact on our daily lives.
Your presence here today is a testament to your dedication to excellence and innovation in the field.
Colleagues, this conference also forms an important continuation of the Cedi@60 celebrations, a year-long reflection on the journey of our national currency and the role it continues to play in Ghana’s economic and institutional life.
The Cedi@60 launch event reminded us that our currency carries history, meaning, and a sense of collective identity.
Today, we build on that moment and reflect on how we can walk forward together, with purpose, as custodians of the next chapter of the Cedi.
We are honoured by the presence of His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic.
Your Excellency, your presence speaks to the national significance of this milestone, and we appreciate your continued support for the Bank of Ghana and for the financial sector more broadly.
Your engage ment underscores our shared responsibility to protect the value, integrity, and future of the Cedi.
President, your “Resetting Ghana” agenda’s emphasis on stability resonates deeply with our mandate to safeguard a currency that supports opportunity, confidence, and long-term prosperity for all Ghanaians.
As Governor, I am very much aware of the critical role that currency plays in our economy and society.
And as we mark sixty years of the Cedi, we remember the pride and aspiration that shaped its introduction.
From its earliest days, the Cedi carried the confidence of a young republic charting its own economic destiny.
Over the decades, it has mirrored Ghana’s tri umphs and struggles – periods of progress, bold reforms, and moments of hardship that tested the resilience of our institutions and our people.
Through all these moments, the Cedi has remained central to policymaking, market sentiment, and daily life in every corner of Ghana.
For sixty years, the Cedi has moved with our people, into markets, in small shops, on farms, in trotro stations, and in the quiet routines of daily life.
It has helped families plan, helped businesses grow, and helped communities support one another.
Each generation carries its own memory of the Cedi.
And now, we must also look ahead.
The next generation will relate to the Cedi in new ways.
Young Ghanaians are growing up in a world where value moves instantl y, where digital interaction is second nature, and where expectations of transparency, convenience, and accountability continue to rise.
Their relationship with the Cedi will be shaped by the trust they place in the institutions that serve them.
Part of our responsibility – as policymakers, as technicians, and as leaders – is to ensure that the Cedi, however it is accessed, continues to serve their aspirations.
Across the world, the landscape of money is shifting.
Digital payments continue to reshape behaviour and expand access.
Juris dictions are advancing their thinking on CBDCs and tokenised instruments, raising new considerations around trust, interoperability, and privacy.
Advances in artificial intelligence are redefining authentication, security, and lifecycle management.
At the same time, glob al uncertainty, geopolitical realignments, and technology dependence all create new vulnerabilities for economies li ke ours.
These shifts are already shaping how Ghanaians earn, save, trade, and secure their futures.
They call for steady leadership, clarity in st rategy, and stronger coordination across institutions.
These shifts also require a thoughtful approach to how the physical and digital dimensions of money will evolve together.
Cash continues to play an essential role in inclusion and resilience, while digital channels are expanding convenience and reach.
Our work on payments modernisation and the eCedi reflects our commitment to secure and interoperable forms of value, grounded in Ghana’s realities and informed by global lessons.
This must be reinforced by strong economic stewardship and institutional stability to ensure the Cedi retains its value and relevance.
At the same time, we are strengthening efforts to re-anchor the Cedi as the unquestioned medium of exchange, addressing the pressures toward currency substitution and dollarisation that threaten our economic sovereignty.
As we advance this work domestically, our engagement with the global community becomes even more important.
As an active participant in the global dialogue on the future of currency and payments , we draw on our experience in payments innovation, financial inclusion, and regulatory reform, while continuing to learn from partners across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The issues shaping modern currencies cross borders and disciplines, making collaboration indispensable.
This conference deepens that collaboration.
It brings together the full ecosystem that now shapes the life of a currency – central bankers, payment specialists, currency designers, security and technology providers, academics, and industry leaders.
The robust agenda reflec ts this breadth and reminds us that currency management today sits at the intersection of many disciplines, each contribut ing to the stability and trust that a nation’s money must uphold.
Let me express my appreciation to Currency Research, to our domestic and international partners, and to every participant who has travelled from near or far to join us.
Your presence enriches the conversation and broadens the possibilities for collaboration.
The Cedi belongs to all of us.
It carries our confidence, our effort, and our belief in the future of this country.
I encourage you to engage fully, share generously, and help shape the vision of what the next sixty years should look like.
My hope is that every Ghanaian, the child learning to count, the trader serving her community, the entrepreneur building something new, can continue to hold the Cedi with unwavering confidence and pride.
May we always remember that protecting the Cedi is not the task of any one institution , it is a shared endeavour rooted in our belief in Ghana’s future.
Thank you, and I wish you a productive and inspiring conference here in Accra.
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GHANA FIXED INCOME MARKET (GFIM) THEME: “DEEPENING MARKETS, EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES” SPEECH BY DR.
JOHNSON PANDIT ASIAMA GOVERNOR, BANK OF GHANA 12 NOVEMBER 2025 MÖVENPICK AMBASSADOR HOTEL Your Excellency, the President of the Republic, Honourable Minister for Finance, Distinguished guests, esteemed partners and friends, good afternoon.
Ten years ago, we set out to build a bridge .
A bridge between savings and investment, between stability and growth.
We called it the Ghana Fixed Income Market.
It began as an experiment in confidence – the belief that a transparent, well -regulated bond market could mobilise long- term capital and anchor our financial system.
That belief has endured.
From GHS 5.2 billion in trade volume at inception, cumulative trading has now surpassed GHS 1.2 trillion.
In one decade, GFIM has moved from concept to cornerstone, connecting savers, investors, and institutions in a shared purpose: financing Ghana’s development with integrity and discipline.
From the start, this was a collective project, born out of collaboration between the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Stock Exchange, the Ministry of Finance, and our market participants , to transform a fragmented, bilateral system into a transparent, centralised platform.
That partnership remains at the heart of its success.
Our fixed-income market tells the story of how Ghana’s financial system has matured, not without turbulence, but with tenacity.
Fixed-income markets do more than raise funds.
They measure trust.
Every auction, every secondary trade, whispers something about the credibility of fiscal policy, the steadiness of monetary policy, and the confidence investors hold in our collective resol ve.
When that trust faltered during the recent debt crises, the market spoke.
Trade volumes fell sharply, from GHS 230 billion in 2022 to GHS 98 billion in 2023.
And when credibility began to rebuild, the market spoke again, rebounding to GHS 214 billion by October 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence.
A deep market allows the yield curve to speak truthfully about risk, maturity, and expectation.
That ongoing dialogue between the market and the economy is how nations find their financial equilibrium.
The years 2022 and 2023 tested that equilibrium.
The domestic debt exchange was more than a financial operation; it was an emotional reckoning.
Liquidity froze, yields spiked, and confidence wavered.
Yet in that trial, three truths became clear: 1.
Credibility is capital.
Without it, no reform endures.
Predictability is confidence.
Markets price stability before they price returns.
Coordination is protection.
Fiscal and monetary alignment is the foundation of resilience.
In this, Ghana is not unique.
Other nations have faced similar tests.
Jamaica executed two debt exchanges without default, relying on openness and dialogue.
Greece rebuilt its market by strengthening post-trade transparency.
Ghana’s experience belongs in t hat lineage, a story not of collapse, but of recalibration.
Today, the macro indicators tell a renewed story.
Inflation, once at 54 percent, has fallen to 8 percent within the target band.
The cedi, which lost half its value, has appreciated more than 35 percent year-to-date.
Reserves now cover nearly five months of imports, and fiscal accounts are back in primary surplus.
But the real story is behavioural, not statistical.
Behind every decline in inflation lies a rise in discipline.
Behind every cedi of appreciation lies a recovery of trust.
And behind every stable reserve figure lies better coordination between fiscal policy and market operations.
As conditions improved, the GFIM responded instinctively.
Dealers returned, secondary trading deepened, and yields began to normalise.
The market once again mirrored Ghana’s recovery, confidently.
And yet, as we celebrate the progress, the structure of the market still reveals gaps , government securities dominate activity, while corporate issuance remains limited.
Having survived its first great test, the next decade must focus on resilience by design.
First, Depth.
We must operationalise an active repo and securities -lending framework to ensure continuous liquidity.
South Africa’s Bond Exchange achieved similar stability in 2005 by turning static holdings into circulating collateral.
Ghana can and must do the same.
Second, Diversity.
Our issuer base must widen.
So far, corporates have raised about GHS 24 billion through GFIM, a commendable start, but from only a handful of issuers.
At the same time, pension funds now hold over GHS 90 billion in GFIM assets, patient capital in search of productive use.
The opportunity is clear: link long- term funds with new issuers through credit -enhancement tools and guarantee mechanisms.
Nigeria’s sovereign sukuk and Kenya’s green- bond model demonstrate that diversification strengthens both the market and the economy.
To support this shift, the GSE is taking a proactive step, launching an academy to prepare companies and boards to access the market and raise long -term finance.
These initiatives show that market deepening is moving from plan to practice.
Third, Digitalisation.
We should build towards a real -time, end-to-end digital bond ecosystem , linking GFIM with GhIPSS and the RTGS platform for straight -through processing.
Brazil’s SELIC and India’s NDS-OM systems show how technology reduces settlement risk and increases investor participation.
If trading volumes can rebound by over GHS 100 bill ion within two years of crisis, then a deeper, more digital, and more diversified market is not ambition; it is our next logical step.
But leadership will depend not on ambition alone , it will depend on execution, transparency, and continued coordination between all market actors.
Ghana’s bond market now ranks among Africa’s most credible domestic platforms.
With turnover around GHS 214 billion this year alone, GFIM can anchor regional capital -market integration under the AfCFTA Financial Integration Framework.
Our goal is to make G hana the reference point for transparency, innovation, and sustainability in African fixed- income markets, linking pension funds, banks, and sovereign issuers in a network of trust.
Nigeria’s FMDQ partnership with Afreximbank and Morocco’s Casablanca Finance City initiatives show what is possible.
Ghana now has a credible opportunity to lead, not follow.
Distinguished guests.
If there is one lesson these ten years have taught us, it is this: markets rise and fall, but credibility endures.
We did not merely build a trading platform; we built an institution rooted in trust.
And trust, sustained through discipline, transparency, and partnership, remains our most valuable national asset.
This anniversary is not just a celebration of a platform; it is a celebration of partnership.
To the Ministry of Finance, thank you for maintaining predictable issuance calendars and transparent communication.
To the dealers, custodians, and pension trustees, your resilience kept the market alive when others lost faith.
To the SEC and GSE, your lea dership in governance and innovation continues to set the standard.
And to our investors, local and foreign, thank you for your patience and your belief in Ghana’s long-term promise.
As we enter the second decade of GFIM, let us seize this moment to build not just a market that trades bonds, but a market that transforms the economy.
Let the next decade be remembered not just for growth in volume, but for growth in purpose – where government and private issuers stand side-by-side, where regional investors view Ghana as a benchmark, and where every reform strengthens resilience.
Together, let us deepen our markets, expand our possibilities, and secure Ghana’s financial future.
Thank you, and congratulations to the entire GFIM family.
29TH NATIONAL BANKING AND ETHICS CONFERENCE KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY DR.
JOHNSON PANDIT ASIAMA GOVERNOR, BANK OF GHANA READ ON HIS BEHALF BY MR.
ISMAIL ADAM DIRECTOR, BANKING SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT BANK OF GHANA CIB AUDITORIUM, ACCRA 11 NOVEMBER 2025 The President, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Mr.
Benjamin Amenumey, The Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Mr.
Robert Dzato, Managing Directors of Banks, Management and Staff of Banks, Fellows and Associates of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen, Good morning.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 29th National Banking and Ethics Conference, organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CI B).
This milestone offers a unique opportunity to reflect on a cr ucial element of banking , ethics-the foundation of trust, transparency, and sustainable banking.
Let me begin by commending CIB for their unwavering commitment to strengthening professional banking capacities and promoting ethical values across the banking industry.
I believe this conference will serve as a call to action for financial institutions in Ghana to uphold high ethical standards, ensuring trust and integrity remain central to banking practices.
The theme for this year’s National Banking and Ethics Conference, Maintaining Stability of the Currency (Cedi) in an era of Digital Asset Disruptions is timely and central to safeguarding our economic wellbeing and the stability of our financial system.
Stability of the cedi 4.
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, the rise of digital assets presents both opportunities and challenges for central banks worldwide.
Millions of hard currency flow monthly through crypto wallets and peer-to-peer platforms, often outside formal banking channels, undermining the regulators’ ability to monitor capital flows and enforce monetary policy.
Central banks especially in emerging markets have observed with concern remittance diversion via crypto platforms, bypassing traditional banks ; amidst concerns of money laundering and terrorist financing risks .
While economic actors are using stable coins and other cryptocurrencies pegged to the US dollar increasingly as a hedge against currency volatility, the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies worsens the volatility in the financial system.
For Ghana, maintaining the stability of the cedi remains a top priority amidst these disruptions.
The Bank of Ghana is gradually shifting from a cautionary stance to active regulation of virtual asset through the development of the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) .
The VASP provides the legal framework for the regulation of all virtual asset s service providers, safeguarding the overall stability of Ghana’s financial sector by preventing digital asset-induced system disruptions, regulatory arbitrage and currency substation.
This would further ensure that service providers comply with global AML /CFT requirements with robust due diligence and reporting mechanisms.