Rejecting Ghana Cedi Coins Is a Criminal Offence — BoG Warns
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has warned that traders, transport operators and businesses that refuse to accept Ghana cedi coins as payment for goods and services are committing a criminal offence and risk arrest, prosecution, fines or imprisonment.
In a public notice issued on July 22, 2026 (Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2026/23), the central bank expressed concern over what it described as the “widespread and persistent refusal” by some businesses to accept 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa and 50 pesewa coins, as well as the GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins. The notice stated that all coins issued by the Bank of Ghana remain legal tender and must be accepted in commercial transactions because they have not been withdrawn from circulation.
“The Bank wishes to remind the general public that all coins issued by the Bank of Ghana remain the lawful currency of the Republic of Ghana and must be accepted and treated in accordance with the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612), the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242) and other laws in force,” the statement said.
The BoG further stressed that no individual or business has the legal authority to reject coins based on convenience or personal preference. “No trader, transport operator, business entity, or individual has the discretion to unilaterally refuse to accept these coins in payment for goods, services, or other legitimate transactions on grounds of inconvenience, low value, or personal preference” the notice read.
The central bank explained that refusing to sell an article simply because a buyer chooses to pay with legal tender coins constitutes an offence under the Currency Act, except where the coin or note is no longer legal tender. According to the notice, offenders who are convicted may face imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, a fine, or both imprisonment and a fine.
The BoG also warned that liability extends beyond those who directly reject coins.
“Deliberately encouraging, helping, or instructing another person to commit this offence, for example, a business owner who instructs staff to reject coins, is punishable in the same way as if that person had committed the offence in person.”
The notice further indicated that “A person found in the act of committing this offence may be arrested without a warrant.”
As part of measures to ensure compliance, the Bank announced that it would work with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the law. “The public is strongly advised to desist from the rejection of coins issued by the Bank of Ghana. Persons and businesses who persist in this conduct may be subject to arrest, prosecution, fines, or imprisonment in accordance with the law,” the statement warned.
The Bank also encouraged members of the public who encounter such incidents to report them to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the Ghana Police Service or through the Bank’s official communication channels.The central bank called on all stakeholders of the economy to support the proper circulation of the national currency. “The Bank of Ghana calls on all individuals, businesses, and institutions to support these efforts by accepting and handling the national currency, in all its denominations, responsibly and in accordance with the law”
For a successful enforcement of this, the statement issued by the Bank of Ghana alone can not guarantee compliance with the law as not many will get the information. The fight against rejecting legal tenders in the Country goes beyond a statement. The Central Bank and other relevant officials ought to champion effective community sensitization programs to ensure the message gets to every nook and cranny of the country.
Author: Joyce Owusu
