The Cardinal Dery Foundation welcomed the Government of Ghana’s choice to depict the late Servant of God Peter Cardinal Porekuu Dery on the new GH¢2 banknote, calling it a landmark national tribute to his service to the Catholic Church and Ghanaian society.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 13, the Foundation thanked the government for recognising the late cleric, noting the gesture reflects the importance of honouring individuals whose lives exemplified service, humility, integrity and compassion.
Born in the former Northern Territories, Cardinal Dery rose from modest beginnings to become a prominent Catholic prelate and a powerful advocate for evangelisation, peace and social development. His work in Northern Ghana and his commitment to improving the welfare of poor and marginalised communities remain central to his legacy.
The GH¢2 note is part of the Bank of Ghana’s newly launched Heritage Series, which celebrates prominent Ghanaian personalities, historical landmarks and traditional symbols that reflect the country’s history and cultural identity. The reverse side of the note features Ghana’s oldest mosque, the Larabanga Mosque, and the Nyame Dua symbol, representing indigenous spiritual heritage.
By featuring Cardinal Dery, the series highlights Ghana’s religious diversity and promotes values of tolerance, freedom of belief and peaceful coexistence. The Foundation says it will use the milestone to intensify efforts to preserve and promote the late cleric’s legacy, including his cause for beatification and canonisation.
The Foundation is calling on Ghanaians, corporate organisations, institutions and the international community to support its activities through membership subscriptions and voluntary contributions, which will fund initiatives such as promoting awareness of Cardinal Dery’s sainthood cause, preserving his legacy, providing educational opportunities for deprived children and improving access to clean drinking water in underserved communities.
As the new banknote circulates, the Foundation urges the public to view the recognition as an opportunity to deepen appreciation of Cardinal Dery’s life and sustain the values he championed.
