Kwame Nkrumah Should Stand Alone on Ghana Cedis, Historian Says

Historian and lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong has criticized the decision to feature the so-called ‘Big Six’ on Ghanaian currency alongside the country’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He believes placing Nkrumah’s image on the same notes as the other five men misrepresents history and diminishes the unparalleled impact of the nation’s founding leader.

Frimpong pointed out that the current currency design fails to recognize other notable Ghanaian patriots, such as Raphael Grey Ametor, the first African nominated for the Nobel Prize, and Professor Anton William Amo, the first black person to receive formal education. He argued that these omissions ignore the achievements of figures who made significant contributions to the country and its legacy.

The historian’s remarks have reignited discussions about how Ghana chooses to honor its heroes and whether the current approach to currency design truly reflects the nation’s historical and cultural achievements.