From market woman to Nobel laureate: Meet the faces on the Heritage Series cedi notes

The Bank of Ghana has introduced its Heritage Series cedi notes, featuring eight denominations ranging from GH¢1 to GH¢200. The series is named "The Cedi, Our Future: Secure, Designed to Last," and replaces the old designs that have been in circulation for over two decades. New security features include a RAPID thread, a watermark, ultraviolet elements, a 3D feature, and optically variable ink.

The notes are also smaller than the previous ones, making them easier to carry. Each note has a QR code on the back, and a common design element is present, replacing the Big Six. Alongside the portraits, there are Adinkra symbols and kente-style patterns framing the edges.

The GH¢1 note depicts market woman Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome (1913 to 1997), known as Auntie Oforiwa, a textile trader and Makola market queen. She is credited with rallying market women behind Kwame Nkrumah and raising funds for his campaign after the Convention People's Party was formed in 1949. The GH¢2 note features Cardinal Peter Porekuu Dery (1918 to 2008), the first bishop of Wa, who composed the first Dagaare Mass.

The GH¢5 note showcases James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey (1875 to 1927), the first vice principal of Achimota College, who played a significant role in education. The GH¢10 note portrays Annie Jiagge (1918 to 1996), Ghana's first woman magistrate, who served as a circuit court judge, High Court judge, and president of the Court of Appeal.

The GH¢20 note features Ephraim Amu (1899 to 1995), who composed Ghana's unofficial second anthem, "Yɛn ara asaase ni." The GH¢50 note displays Theodosia Okoh (1922 to 2015), the designer of Ghana's flag, who chose red, gold, and green to represent the country's geography. Finally, the GH¢100 note features Kofi Annan (1938 to 2018), the former UN Secretary-General, who shared the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize with the UN.