The Bank of Ghana (BoG), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has arrested seven people in Accra for allegedly using Ghana cedi banknotes to produce money bouquets and cakes for commercial purposes.
The arrests form part of the central bank’s enforcement efforts against the misuse, abuse and illegal handling of Ghana cedi notes and coins.
Speaking on the exercise, Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the Bank of Ghana, Dinah Bonzi, said the arrests were intended to send a strong warning to individuals and businesses engaged in the practice.
She cautioned the public against using cedi banknotes and coins to create money bouquets and money cakes for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other social events.
“ 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,” she said.
According to her, such practices constitute the misuse and abuse of Ghana’s currency and are unlawful.
Ms Bonzi further warned that the Bank of Ghana would take action against anyone found engaging in or supporting the practice.
“Persons found engaging in, aiding, promoting or facilitating such acts will be arrested and prosecuted by the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” she added.
The Bank of Ghana has therefore urged the public to handle Ghana cedi notes and coins appropriately and desist from practices that could damage or undermine the integrity of the currency.
