Five of Ghana’s six founding figures, collectively known as the Big Six, have been omitted from the Bank of Ghana’s newly introduced Heritage Series banknotes, representing a significant change from the design of the existing currency.
The Big Six, whose group portrait appears prominently on the front of the current cedi notes, played leading roles in Ghana’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
They are Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey and William Ofori Atta.
However, an examination of the Heritage Series unveiled by the Bank of Ghana on Thursday, November 12, 2026, shows that only Dr Nkrumah has been retained, with the other five figures absent from the redesigned notes.
The new series instead honours other prominent Ghanaians whose contributions span politics, religion, education, public service, culture and international diplomacy.
The GH¢1 note features Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome, recognised as the first Makola woman to open an account with the then Standard Bank of West Africa, now Standard Chartered Bank.
The GH¢2 denomination bears the image of Cardinal Peter Porekuu Dery, a respected Catholic priest from Zimuopare (Ko), near Nandom in the Upper West Region, who rose to prominence in the 1950s.
The GH¢5 note features James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey, while the GH¢10 denomination bears the image of Justice Annie Jiagge, the first woman in Ghana and the Commonwealth to become a judge.
The GH¢20 note features Dr Ephraim Amu, who composed the Twi version of Ghana’s national anthem, Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni, while the GH¢50 denomination honours Theodosia Salome Okoh, the designer of Ghana’s national flag.
The GH¢100 denomination features former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, while the GH¢200 note honours Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Dr Nkrumah’s placement on the GH¢200 note marks a departure from the existing currency series, where his portrait appeared on the ceremonial GH¢2 note alongside the other members of the Big Six.
The six leaders rose to prominence in Ghana’s independence struggle after they were arrested by British colonial authorities in 1948 following disturbances in Accra.
The group portrait on the existing banknotes has long symbolised Ghana’s nationalist movement and the struggle for independence.
In contrast, the Heritage Series features individual portraits of notable Ghanaians, highlighting their contributions to the country’s political, educational, cultural and diplomatic development.
