What does cedi mean?
The cedi is the official currency of Ghana, a West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea. One cedi is divided into 100 smaller units called pesewas, which function much as cents do within the US dollar or pence within the British pound. In everyday use, Ghanaians pay for goods and services in cedis — from street food and transport fares to rent and school fees — so the word appears constantly in commerce, news reporting on inflation, and discussions of exchange rates against major currencies like the US dollar. The currency has undergone significant change: in July 2007, Ghana carried out a redenomination that removed four zeros from its money, replacing thousands of old cedis with a single new cedi in an effort to simplify transactions and restore public confidence. For readers of financial journalism, travellers to Accra, or students of African economics, knowing what a cedi is provides essential context for understanding prices and economic conditions in Ghana.
nounThe cedi is the basic monetary unit of Ghana, equal to 100 pesewas.
- The basic unit of money in Ghana, divided into 100 pesewas.
"The market vendor quoted a price of fifty cedis for the basket of tomatoes."
"A cup of coffee at the café cost about twenty cedis."
"The government moved to stabilise the cedi after months of depreciation against the dollar."
The plural follows the regular English pattern of adding -s. When written as a code with an amount, e.g. GH₵50, no plural form appears.
"The ticket cost thirty cedis."
Ghana renamed its currency in 2007, knocking four zeros off the old cedi — one of the most dramatic redenominations in modern history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cedi
The word "cedi" derives from "sika", a word in Akan languages spoken in Ghana that refers to gold dust, historically used there as a medium of exchange before modern coinage. The name was adopted for Ghana's currency when it was introduced shortly after independence in the mid-20th century, replacing the Ghanaian pound. It reflects the country's heritage as a historic source of gold in West Africa.
How cedi is actually used
The plural "cedis" is standard in English. The currency was redenominated in July 2007, when 10,000 old cedis became one new cedi; the current unit was introduced at that time and is subdivided into 100 pesewas.
Easily confused with cedi
"Cede" is a verb meaning to give up or surrender something (as territory or rights), whereas "cedi" is a noun referring to Ghana's currency.