The Bank of Ghana (BoG), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has arrested seven people for allegedly misusing Ghana cedi banknotes by using them to create money bouquets.
The suspects were arrested during a joint operation targeting individuals involved in the production and sale of money bouquets and other decorative items made from Ghanaian currency.
Speaking to the media, Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the Bank of Ghana, Dianah Bondzi, warned the public against using Ghana cedi notes and coins for decorative purposes at weddings, birthdays, graduations and other social events.
According to her, such practices constitute the misuse and abuse of the national currency and are prohibited under Ghanaian law.
“The Bank of Ghana wishes to issue a warning to the general public for using the banknotes and coins to create money bouquets, money cakes for weddings, for birthdays, for graduations, and other similar events, which constitutes the misuse and abuse of the currency, and it is illegal and unlawful,” she said.
Ms Bondzi stressed that the Ghana cedi is the legal tender of the Republic of Ghana and must be handled with care and respect.
She cautioned that individuals who engage in, assist, facilitate or promote the misuse of Ghanaian currency could face arrest and prosecution by the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
The Bank of Ghana had earlier issued a public notice on July 14, 2026, warning against the improper use of Ghana cedi banknotes and coins.
The notice stated that using currency notes and coins as decorations, including for money bouquets, jewellery and other artistic creations, amounts to improper use of the currency and may constitute offences under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242).
The Bank also warned against other practices involving the improper handling of currency.
These include spraying money at events, scattering or stepping on currency notes, tearing, crumpling, staining, defacing, mutilating or otherwise damaging banknotes and coins.
The BoG said it has begun enforcement measures in collaboration with state law enforcement agencies to address the misuse of currency and protect the integrity, quality and functionality of the Ghana cedi.
The central bank has therefore urged individuals, businesses and institutions to handle Ghana’s currency responsibly.
It also encouraged members of the public to report suspected breaches to the appropriate authorities as enforcement efforts continue.
The arrests form part of the Bank of Ghana’s efforts to discourage practices that could damage banknotes and coins and ultimately increase the cost of replacing damaged currency.
