Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has cautioned businesses and the public against trading or pricing goods and services in foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar.
Speaking at the official launch of the Cedi @60 celebration, Dr. Forson emphasised that the Ghana cedi remains the country’s only legal tender and urged citizens to support efforts to stabilise and strengthen it.
He called on the public to demonstrate patriotism by respecting and preserving the value of the national currency.
“As citizens, we have a role to play; we must maintain the sanctity of the cedi as a legal tender by preserving it with dignity and protecting it jealously. We must all be vanguards and ensure that the cedi’s value is maintained.
“We must eschew the act that seeks to undermine the cedi value of the currency, particularly, the pricing of goods and services in foreign currency, the US dollar. Let me use this opportunity to stress that as Ghanaians, the Ghana cedi remains the only legal tender,” he said.
Dr. Forson warned that the growing practice of quoting prices in US dollars undermines the cedi and the broader economy.
He urged all Ghanaians to take pride in using the cedi, describing it as a symbol of national identity and economic independence.
“The US dollar is not our currency; the cedi is our only currency. The continuous pricing of goods and services in the US dollar will only hurt us. Let’s stop it and let’s stop it now. The cedi is the only currency we have, let’s protect it, let’s trade with it and let’s defend it with all vim within us. Let’s talk about the cedi with pride and not as a burden,” he advised.
He expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring the stability of the cedi.
“The government of Ghana remains committed, and we shall stay the course to ensure that the cedi remains stable and as seen, gains are maintained,” he assured.
