Kofi Annan Immortalised on Ghana's New GH¢100 Note as UN Hails 'Fitting Tribute'

Ghana has permanently inscribed the legacy of one of its most celebrated sons into everyday life by placing the portrait of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the new GH¢100 banknote — a move the UN has described as a deeply fitting recognition of a man whose life's work changed the world.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Zia Choudhury, issued a formal statement on Thursday, 12 November 2026, welcoming the tribute and describing Mr Annan as a Ghanaian whose influence stretched far beyond the nation's borders. The statement noted that his recognition on the country's national currency offered a powerful opportunity to inspire younger Ghanaians to embrace the values of integrity, dialogue, service and global solidarity.

What appears on the new note

The GH¢100 denomination is part of the Bank of Ghana's newly introduced Heritage Series, a collection of eight banknotes designed to celebrate prominent Ghanaian personalities, historical landmarks and traditional cultural symbols. President John Mahama officially unveiled the full series at a ceremony on 12 November, describing the notes as a tool to bring Ghana's history closer to its youth and deepen national pride.

Mr Annan's portrait features on the front of the GH¢100 note. The reverse side carries an image of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, alongside the Adinkra symbol Bi Nka Bi — a traditional motif representing peaceful coexistence and the avoidance of conflict. Together, the imagery ties Ghana's contribution to international peace and diplomacy into a single, powerful visual statement.

The other seven denominations in the Heritage Series each reflect a distinct theme in Ghana's national story, covering areas such as commerce, religious diversity, education, justice, culture, freedom and sovereignty.

Why it matters for Ghana

Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006 — the first from sub-Saharan Africa to hold the position. During his tenure, he championed human rights, the Millennium Development Goals, the responsibility to protect civilians in conflict zones, and HIV/AIDS awareness at a global scale. He was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, alongside the United Nations itself. He passed away in August 2018.

His inclusion on the GH¢100 note is therefore more than ceremonial. It places Ghana's contribution to global diplomacy at the centre of the country's monetary identity — something citizens will encounter in their daily transactions. For a nation that hosts one of Africa's leading peacekeeping training centres bearing his name, the symbolism runs especially deep.

The UN's statement reaffirmed its commitment to working with Ghana in pursuit of the values Mr Annan embodied — peace, inclusion and sustainable development — suggesting the tribute will strengthen the ongoing partnership between the Ghanaian government and the United Nations system in-country.

The Heritage Series at a glance

• Eight denominations make up the new Heritage Series, each honouring a different facet of Ghana's identity.
• The GH¢100 note focuses on international peace and diplomacy, with Kofi Annan as its centrepiece.
• The Bi Nka Bi Adinkra symbol on the reverse underscores Ghana's cultural roots and its long-held values of peaceful coexistence.
• President Mahama launched the full series on 12 November 2026, framing the notes as an educational and cultural legacy tool for future generations.

As the notes enter circulation, Ghanaians will carry a daily reminder not only of their history, but of the standard of global leadership one of their own set for the entire world.