5 Ghanaian Cedi Banknote (University Of Ghana)

5 Cedis Cedi (Issued 2019)

The 2019 Ghana 5 Cedis banknote exemplifies the modern commemorative tradition in West African currency design, combining portraiture-led composition with bold typographic hierarchy and layered background patterning. The layout draws on a distinctly horizontal format, with a dominant group portrait occupying the central and right-hand portion of the face, balanced by architectural imagery and symbolic national iconography on the left. Pale blue and white tones dominate the overall palette, lending the note a clean, contemporary appearance that aligns with the design philosophy of other early twenty-first-century central bank issues. The visual language is confident and structured, reflecting Ghana’s pride in its founding generation of statesmen and intellectuals.

On the front, the most striking feature is a group portrait of six figures arranged in a formal compositional cluster at the right-centre of the note. These are the Big Six — the six leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention who were arrested by the British colonial administration in 1948 and who became central figures in Ghana’s independence movement. The six men depicted are Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, William Ofori-Atta, and Kwame Nkrumah, rendered in fine intaglio-style engraving with strong tonal contrasts that give depth and definition to each face. The issuing authority is printed at the top in bold serif capitals reading “BANK OF GHANA”, with the denomination displayed in two locations — a large stylised “GH¢5” in the upper left and a corresponding numeral “5” in the lower right corner, both rendered in strong deep blue. The words “Five Cedis” appear in clear typography across the lower centre of the note. To the left of the portrait group sits an architectural vignette of a colonial-era building with an arched entrance, rendered in soft blue tones. The Ghanaian coat of arms appears in the lower centre-right area, adding a further layer of national symbolism. The serial number SX6841535 is printed in red on the right-hand vertical strip and in blue on the left. A facsimile signature reads “Governor, 4th March 2019”, accompanied by a legal tender statement in small text. The background incorporates the pattern of a large black star — the emblem of African emancipation — rendered in pale blue guilloché-style patterning across the left half of the note. A vertical security strip is embedded within the paper, and the overall printing quality shows multiple tonal layers in the background wash.

The reverse presents a richly layered scenic composition dominated by pale blue, yellow-green, and violet tones. The central image depicts what appears to be the campus of the University of Ghana at Legon, with its distinctive domed building visible in the background, framed by lush landscape. In the foreground stands a bold sculptural monument — a figurative sculpture rendered in blue-grey tones that conveys movement and strength, consistent with the Independence Arch or a commemorative monument associated with Ghanaian national identity. To the left, a tall tower structure — possibly a university clock tower or administrative building — is prominently depicted, contributing to the architectural depth of the scene. The lower-left area carries a large numeral “5” in deep blue, alongside the “GH¢” currency symbol rendered in golden-amber ink. The text “Five Cedis” appears vertically along the left edge in blue, and “BANK OF GHANA” is printed in bold at the lower right. A small rectangular security feature or logo appears to the right of the bank name. The background of the reverse is layered with geometric colour-wash patterns in soft yellow and pale blue that extend across the right portion, providing tonal variety and anti-counterfeiting visual complexity.

Sell foreign coins and banknotes the simple way: this 2019 Ghana 5 Cedis banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com together with other current Ghanaian Cedi banknotes, all settled in a single transaction.

• Indicate the quantity of 5 Cedis Cedi banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com buys and exchanges foreign currency of every kind, so your Ghanaian Cedi banknotes — withdrawn or current — can be sold for cash together with the rest of your leftover coins and notes.

Other Ghanaian Cedi you can exchange: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200.