The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has reaffirmed its commitment to digital currency adoption and modernising monetary policy through a new strategic partnership with the University of Ghana.

Speaking at the launch of the BoG Chair in Finance and Economics on Tuesday, Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama unveiled a forward-looking agenda that seeks to bridge academic research and central banking practice. The Chair, jointly housed in the Departments of Economics and Finance, will focus on critical policy areas such as inflation modelling, monetary transmission, digital inclusion, and the regulation of virtual assets.

“Our aim is to ensure that innovation serves inclusion—and that the Ghana cedi, whether in coin, note, or code, remains a symbol of national confidence,” Dr. Asiama said.

A key focus of the BoG’s innovation strategy is the e-Cedi, Ghana’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). Originally piloted in 2021, the project has now advanced beyond proof-of-concept. Regulatory frameworks for virtual asset service providers are being finalised, and live experimentation continues via a fintech sandbox.

The central bank’s approach, however, goes beyond technology. Officials argue that the success of digital currency will also depend on intellectual capacity, regulatory coherence, and institutional adaptability.

To that end, Dr. Asiama also announced the launch of the Governor’s Future Leaders Fellowship, a programme to train top Ghanaian graduates abroad and reintegrate them into national policymaking roles.

“Central banks must evolve into intelligence-driven organisations,” he stated. “Data, forecasting, and risk analysis will be critical for managing future shocks and opportunities.”

Recent economic challenges—including the 2022 inflation surge and cedi depreciation—have increased pressure on BoG to strengthen its monetary policy framework. The Chair is expected to act as a model for collaboration between academia and central banks in addressing structural issues such as weak policy transmission, heavy dependence on government debt, and informal financial services.

The initiative is also expected to stimulate debate on unresolved policy questions, including exchange rate management and the role of central banks in regulating cryptocurrency markets.

“The digital revolution is not just technological—it is institutional,” Dr. Asiama concluded. “We need frameworks that keep pace with innovation while reflecting national and regional realities.”

The Chair has been awarded to Professor Paul Alagidede, who will lead its research and training efforts aimed at shaping the next generation of economic and financial policy leaders.