University of Ghana and Achimota: The two schools featured on Ghana's cedi notes

Ghana’s currency has given some of the country’s educational institutions a place in its national story, with the University of Ghana and Achimota School featuring on different versions of the GH¢5 banknote.

The earlier GH¢5 note, introduced in 2007 and upgraded in 2019, featured the Big Six on the front and the University of Ghana’s Legon campus on the reverse.

The university’s Balme Library, Department of Economics building and central tower were among the features depicted on the back of the note.

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The design placed one of Ghana’s leading higher education institutions alongside the country’s founding leaders and national symbols.

However, the Bank of Ghana has introduced a new design under the Heritage Series, bringing a change to the educational institution represented on the denomination.

The new blue GH¢5 note features educationist Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey on the front, while the iconic clock-tower administration building of Achimota School appears on the reverse.

The design is based on the theme of education and features the Adinkra symbol Nea Onnim No Sua A, Ohu, which means that someone who does not know can gain knowledge through learning.

The pairing of Dr Aggrey’s portrait with the school is intended to connect his contribution to education with the institution’s history.

The new design has also placed Achimota School in a special position as the only senior high school featured on the new Heritage Series banknotes.

The notes are expected to enter circulation on December 1, 2026, alongside the existing currency.

Meanwhile, the choice of Achimota has sparked conversations on social media, with some users bringing the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) into the discussion.

Some online comments have taken aim at KNUST over its absence as a school building on the new notes, with users joking about the institution’s claims of being among the best schools in the country.

The debate has also raised questions about which other educational institutions deserve recognition on Ghana’s currency.

ANAS/MA

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