NPP Would Have Plastered J.B. Danquah’s Face Across All Heritage Cedi Notes If in Power – Hohoe MP Worlanyo Tsekpo

The Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Hon. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, has sparked fresh political debate following the official unveiling of Ghana’s redesigned cedi banknotes, known as the Heritage Series. Reacting to the new currency designs which replace the traditional "Big Six" portraits with a diverse lineup of national icons, cultural symbols, and historic figures the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker claimed that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) would have taken a heavily partisan approach had they supervised the currency overhaul. According to Hon. Tsekpo, an NPP administration would have featured the portrait of its founding patriarch, Dr. Joseph Boakye (J.B.) Danquah, across all denominations of the new notes. 

​Hon. Tsekpo’s remarks come on the heels of the Bank of Ghana’s landmark launch of the Heritage Series in Accra, attended by President John Dramani Mahama and Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama. The revamped banknotes, covering denominations from GH¢1 to GH¢200 and scheduled to enter circulation on December 1, 2026, depart from decades of familiar imagery to celebrate broader facets of Ghanaian history and identity. Among the distinguished figures newly honoured on the notes are market queen and independence financier Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, national flag designer Theodosia Salome Okoh, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and renowned educator Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey. 

​In making his assertion, the Hohoe legislator argued that the current administration’s rollout reflects an inclusive, non-partisan celebration of national heritage rather than a narrow ideological agenda. He contended that historical branding under past NPP governments frequently elevated figures linked to the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition above other contributors to Ghana’s development. By contrast, he praised the new currency selection for recognizing unsung heroes, women, and global statesmen whose contributions transcend partisan lines.

​The MP’s comments underscore the deeply political lens through which national symbols and historical recognition are often viewed in Ghana. While the Bank of Ghana has emphasized that the Heritage Series is primarily aimed at boosting banknote durability, incorporating modern anti-counterfeiting technology, and promoting national pride, political observers note that the replacement of the Big Six of which J.B. Danquah was a prominent member is likely to keep partisan debates alive well into the notes’ public circulation.

@Volta Today