By Rhoe C. QUAYE
Growing up, I came across an Italian who had displayed various currency notes of all the countries he had visited in a section of his living room.
One unique aspect of these currencies is the images of individuals together with national monuments that seem to tell stories of their various contributions to their nation.
Today I happen to be blessed and am currently building my own collection, just to realize the individual heroes on the Ghanaian notes had all been replaced with a sketchy image of the ‘Big Six.’
A collection of the United States currency tells you about past presidents and statesmen and women who played an important role in shaping America’s history.
Harriet Tubman, an African American woman, is currently being considered for the new twenty-dollar American bill to honor her contributions toward the abolishing of slavery in America.
She was a former slave and abolitionist who, as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, helped hundreds of African-Americans escape slavery.
Similarly, China, Malaysia, Qatar, Nigeria, South Africa, and many others use their currency to honor their national heroes and recognize their contribution to the nation.
For fewer countries like the United Kingdom, Swaziland, etc., they have opted to use only the image of their current leader of their kingdom to be the sole image on their currency, a system we do not practice.
Ghana, just like the rest, had images of Ephraim Amu, a renowned musician; Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, a businesswoman and activist who played a key role in financing Ghana’s independence struggle; Yaw Asantewa; Dr. Kwame Nkrumah; and many others on our currency until the first NPP government set a theme to change our currency.
Beyond individuals, Ghana’s banknotes also highlight national landmarks and industries. The Larabanga Mosque, cocoa farms, and the Akosombo Dam all appear on different denominations, symbolizing Ghana’s heritage and economic strength.
The usage of ‘The Big Six’ on the newer notes developed was very laudable at first, and the intention was moot until it started gaining center stage on all our notes.
One may ask, were the ‘Big Six’ the only group of individuals who fought for the attainment of Ghana’s independence to attain that center stage on all national legal tender notes?
Currently all notes with various historical personalities have been replaced by this ‘Big Six.’ One does not have any qualms with the image of this group of individuals but seeks to know if they are the only role model needed for the current generation.
Apart from the likes of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who got jailed in the fight for our independence, what is the story of the rest that is so magnanimous in Ghana’s quest for freedom?
Since when did Ghana’s role models become limited to only politicians? What happened to renowned musicians, actors and actresses, farmers, miners, kente weavers, railway workers, engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, traders, kings, queens, and chiefs, and various individuals who contributed to the building of Ghana?
Since when did the ‘Big Six’ become the only group of individuals to be celebrated on our national currency?
The agenda to celebrate individuals whose contributions do not merit such acknowledgment is being pursued through a collective recognition to overshadow true and relevant heroes of Ghana.
Ghana’s independence was not attained only by the ideologies of the ‘Big Six’ but through the effort of the CPP, led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah upon quitting the UGCC.
This statement does not need any reference since the road to Ghana’s independence is clearly documented in all relevant records.
This is not to discredit other individuals who fought for our freedom but to set the records straight and give recognition to every individual who helped to shape the nation.
Ghana is blessed with many heroes and heroines whose stories are not being told enough today.
The current generation lacks such role models and is being denied our true history. We are a nation of diverse cultural heritage, blessed with enormous festivals of different tales.
Our dressing and way of life distinguish us from many Africans. We have been blessed with kings and queens who fought to make Ghana’s history whole.
Inspired by individuals who, through their inspirational artistry, work to make our national identity stand among the best. From the palm wine tapper’s music that calms us after a hard day’s work, we can only say thank you for such an honor on our notes.
One may ask, was it wrong for the introduction of the ‘Big Six’ on our notes by the Kufour-led NPP government in recognition of their contribution to Ghana’s independence, or was it to initiate the rewriting of Ghana’s history by his successors not to talk of the unnationalistic attire worn by them on our notes? It is said that money, they say, makes the world go round.
But it also tells a deeper story—a story of independence, leadership, and national identity. Let us rethink as we reset the nation back to its rightful place and give recognition to the lion’s roar before Dede Ashikinsha is also replace on our 50 pesewa coin with a ‘Bigger Six’.
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