Cardinal Peter Porekuu Dery features on Ghana’s new GH¢2 heritage note

Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery, one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Catholic Church in Ghana, has been honoured with a place on the country’s newly redesigned GH¢2 banknote under the Bank of Ghana’s Heritage Series.

The inclusion of the late Cardinal’s portrait on the new denomination recognises his place in Ghana’s religious and national history, bringing the legacy of one of the country’s pioneering Catholic leaders into everyday public life.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) introduced the upgraded Ghana cedi banknotes on Thursday, 12 November 2026, with enhanced security features, improved durability and more portable sizes.

The redesigned notes are intended to strengthen the security of the national currency, improve convenience in everyday transactions and promote a renewed sense of national pride through designs celebrating Ghana’s history and cultural heritage.

The Heritage Series incorporates images of national heroes, historic sites, monuments and Adinkra symbols.

Speaking at the launch, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, said the introduction of the upgraded notes was more than a currency redesign, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate Ghana’s heritage and prepare the cedi for the demands of a changing world.

The upgraded banknotes cover existing denominations from GH¢1 to GH¢200 and are expected to circulate alongside the existing notes, which remain legal tender.

Who was Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery?

Born on 10 May 1918 at Zimuopare (Ko), near Nandom in the Upper West Region, Cardinal Dery was ordained a Catholic priest on 11 February 1951, becoming the first indigenous priest from the region.

Following the erection of the Diocese of Wa on 3 November 1959, he was appointed its first Bishop on 16 March 1960 and received episcopal ordination on 8 May that year.

During his ministry in Wa, he promoted liturgical inculturation and established several schools and a minor seminary, contributing to the growth of Catholic education and evangelisation in northern Ghana.

In 1972, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Tamale, a responsibility he carried alongside his duties in Wa for two years. He was subsequently appointed Bishop of Tamale on 18 November 1974.

When Tamale was elevated to an archdiocese in 1977, he became its first Archbishop, taking office on 30 May that year.

He retired as Archbishop of Tamale on 26 March 1994 and was later elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI on 24 March 2006.

Cardinal Dery died in Tamale on 6 March 2008, aged 89.