The Bank of Ghana (BoG), in partnership with the Ghana Police Service, has arrested seven people in Accra for allegedly using Ghana cedi banknotes to make money bouquets and cakes for commercial purposes.
The arrests form part of an enforcement exercise by the central bank aimed at curbing what it describes as the misuse and abuse of Ghana’s currency.
Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the BoG, Dinah Bonzi, said the operation was intended to warn individuals and businesses against turning banknotes into decorative items for events.
She explained that the suspects were arrested at different locations in Accra after allegedly using cedi notes to produce money cakes and bouquets for sale.
“The Bank of Ghana wishes to issue a warning to the general public for using banknotes and coins to create money bouquets, money cakes for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other similar events,” she said.
According to Ms Bonzi, anyone found engaging in, promoting, assisting or facilitating such activities will face legal action.
She stressed that the Ghana cedi is the country’s legal tender and must be handled with care and respect.
The Bank of Ghana indicated that the arrested persons would be prosecuted, with possible sanctions including fines or imprisonment under the relevant law.
The central bank has previously cautioned against spraying money at social events, stepping on or scattering banknotes, writing on currency, altering notes and using them for decorations.
Ms Bonzi urged the public to take the latest arrests seriously and desist from practices that could damage or undermine the integrity of the Ghana cedi.
