Bank of Ghana to launch Heritage Series banknotes with tactile features

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced the scheduled introduction of its new Heritage Series banknotes on November 12, 2026. This upcoming series is designed with a specific focus on inclusivity, incorporating advanced security features alongside elements meant to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. The central bank's initiative aims to address existing difficulties faced by visually impaired individuals when identifying and handling physical currency in daily commercial activities.

Dominic Owusu, the Director of Currency Management at the Bank of Ghana, detailed that the Heritage Series will feature distinct physical sizes for each denomination and enhanced tactile marks. These features are intended to allow visually impaired users to differentiate between notes through touch and size recognition, promoting financial independence. The bank emphasized that these modifications were finalized after extensive consultations with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations to ensure the new notes are practical and effective for the target users.

The engagement with disability groups focused on ensuring that the cash-handling experience promotes dignity and privacy for all citizens. While some suggestions, such as notes with unique physical shapes, were found to be currently unfeasible, the Bank of Ghana has committed to a continuous feedback loop. This involves rigorous testing of the new banknotes with members of the disability community to refine the features before the notes are officially placed into general circulation.

In addition to physical banknotes, the central bank is exploring technological advancements to support financial inclusion, including a mobile application designed to assist users in identifying currency denominations. The Bank of Ghana has urged commercial banks, businesses, and the public to support these efforts by ensuring that transactions involving persons with disabilities are handled with respect and dignity. This launch represents a significant step in the central bank's commitment to creating a more accessible financial system for all Ghanaians.