Belize has taken a “significant step” towards ridding itself of the remnants of colonialism by replacing the image of Queen Elizabeth II on its dollar bill with that of the national hero.
Belize Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael announced the new design of the banknotes late Thursday, noting that in addition to improved security and anti-counterfeiting features, “the new banknote family recognizes and celebrates our heritage and tradition. I can do it too,” he said. Belize's rich history. ”
The new banknotes are expected to go into circulation in June. Instead of a portrait of the Queen, the new $100, $20 and $5 banknotes will feature George Cadle Price, the Central American country's first prime minister and considered the father of independence from British rule. It will be drawn. The $50, $10 and $2 bills will all feature the portrait of Philip Goldson, a founding member of the country's major political parties. people's unity party and United Democratic Partyis hailed as a champion of national pride.
Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceño said the new image “embodies a national hero who symbolizes our resistance.”
“While the primary reason for this change was to incorporate technological advancements into the new notebooks to improve security features and durability, this is another way we remember the sacrifices of our predecessors. “Every time we see the faces of our national heroes on our new currency, we see history, leadership and the great achievements that have brought us to where we are today,” said Briceño.
Public reaction to the new banknotes was mixed, with some questioning the need for the redesign and others concerned about the impact on the value of the Belize dollar.
But for those campaigning to remove King Charles as head of state in Belize, removing the British monarch from state funds is an important milestone on the path to becoming a republic.
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Belizean political scientist Dr. Dylan Vernon, a former ambassador to the European Union and former chairman of the country's political reform commission, said the removal of the queen's portrait was long overdue and called it “a small piece of unfinished business.” “This is an important symbolic step.” of decolonization. ”
“I have long advocated for the need for symbolic changes, such as renaming streets, putting national heroes on our currency, and replacing the king with Belize's head of state,” he said. But it is never enough. Constitutional and political reforms are essential for more meaningful decolonization, including the separation of legislative and executive powers and electoral reform, including proportional representation.
“The hopeful view is that if the new banknotes have no effect on their lives other than to increase national pride, then the British monarchy will be forced to do so as part of a broader constitutional decolonization and decolonization initiative.'' This means fewer Belizeans will be afraid of a more substantive move to replace Belize's head of state.
