Belize is one of the giant leaps in the path toward decolonization. This is by the removal of the image of the late Queen Elizabeth from its currency. National heroes will be featured on newly designed banknotes, with new bills scheduled for roll out in June.
During the launching of the new designs, Kareem Michael, Governor of Belize’s Central Bank, made it evident that while the updated currency was integrating enhanced security and anti-counterfeit features, it was now also showcasing Belize’s rich heritage and history.
These will include the new designs of $100, $20, and $5 bills to feature Belize’s first Prime Minister and father of its independence, George Cadle Price. The $50, $10, and $2 bills will have the image of Philip Goldson, one of Belize’s most famous political figures and founders of the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party. Both are viewed as heroes in Belizean national identity.
Prime Minister Johnny Briceno said that taking away the image of the Queen is symbolic to the recognition of Belize’s heroes and their input in the attainment of independence of the country. He admitted there were mixed feelings about the design, with people questioning the change and others saying it would diminish the value of the Belize dollar.
The transition is significant to many in terms of the de-colonialization of Belize. For one, Dr Dylan Vernon, a political scientist and former Belizean ambassador to the European Union, stated that it’s a “nice symbolic move, getting rid of British influence” but would continue to insist that constitutional and political reforms have to be accomplished fully for complete de-colonization. Such a change, according to him, would be an important shift as it would then lead to the Belizean having a head of state.