The Management of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is proposing that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) replace the image of the Big Six on selected banknote denominations with the iconic photograph of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, declaring the country’s independence on March 6, 1957.
The proposal, announced on November 6, 2026, is intended to broaden the historical representation on Ghana’s currency by incorporating one of the most defining moments in the country’s history.
The Memorial Park believes the proposed change would provide an opportunity to celebrate Ghana’s independence struggle and its emergence as a sovereign nation, particularly as the country prepares to mark 70 years of independence in 2027.
In a statement signed by its Acting Executive Director, Collins Rawlings Nunyonameh, the Park said the proposal aligns with the Bank of Ghana’s planned introduction of a Heritage Series of banknotes.
It argued that the proposed series presents an opportunity to recognise significant personalities, historical events and milestones that have shaped Ghana’s national identity.
The Park acknowledged the historical contributions of the Big Six to Ghana’s independence struggle, noting that their role in the country’s political history deserves lasting recognition.
However, it believes that featuring their image on almost all Ghanaian banknotes presents an opportunity to expand the range of historical figures and events represented on the national currency.
“The image of the Big Six currently features on almost all Ghanaian banknotes. While their contributions to Ghana’s independence struggle remain historically significant and deserve lasting recognition, there is an opportunity to broaden the historical representation on our national currency by incorporating other defining moments in Ghana’s history,” the statement said.
The Memorial Park proposed that the iconic photograph capturing Dr Nkrumah declaring independence should replace the Big Six image on selected denominations rather than necessarily removing their representation from the currency entirely.
It explained that currency serves purposes beyond facilitating financial transactions, as banknotes also provide an important platform for communicating a country’s identity, heritage and collective memory.
According to the Park, the images and historical references featured on banknotes help shape how citizens and future generations understand and appreciate their country’s history.
