The Bank of Ghana (BoG), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has arrested seven persons for allegedly using Ghana cedi banknotes to produce and sell money bouquets.
The arrests followed a joint enforcement operation targeting individuals involved in the production and sale of money bouquets, which have become increasingly common at weddings, birthdays, graduations and other social events.
Speaking to the media, Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the BoG, Dianah Bondzi, warned the public against using Ghana cedi notes and coins for decorative and artistic purposes.
She said such practices amounted to the misuse and abuse of the national currency and were 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.
Bondzi stressed that the Ghana cedi was the legal tender of the Republic of Ghana and should be handled with care and respect.
She warned that individuals who engaged in, aided, facilitated or promoted the misuse of the currency could face arrest and prosecution by the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
The warning follows a public notice issued by the Bank of Ghana on July 14, 2026, which stated that using currency notes and coins as decorations, including money bouquets, jewellery and other artistic creations, constituted improper use of the currency and could amount to offences under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242).
The notice also prohibits practices such as spraying money at social events, scattering or stepping on currency notes, as well as tearing, crumpling, staining, defacing, mutilating or otherwise damaging banknotes and coins.
According to the BoG, it has begun enforcement measures in collaboration with state law enforcement agencies to address the misuse of the 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 cedi notes and coins responsibly and report suspected breaches to the appropriate authorities.
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