The Bank of Ghana (BoG), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has arrested seven people in Accra over the alleged commercial use of Ghana cedi notes to produce money bouquets and cakes.
The suspects were arrested at different locations on Monday, October 5, as part of an enforcement operation targeting the improper handling and use of Ghana’s currency.
According to the central bank, the suspects were allegedly involved in producing decorative items made from cedi notes for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other social events.
Dianah Bondzi, Head of the Statistics Office at the BoG’s Currency Management Department, said the practice amounts to an abuse of the national currency and is prohibited by 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 warned that the enforcement would not be limited to those directly producing the items, saying people who promote, aid or facilitate currency abuse could also face legal action.
“Following today’s arrest on the alleged abuse of the Ghana currency, the bank wants to clearly state that persons found engaging in, aiding, promoting or facilitating such acts will be arrested and prosecuted by the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” she said.
The seven suspects are expected to be prosecuted and could face fines or imprisonment.
“From here they will be prosecuted,” Ms Bondzi said, adding that offenders could face “fines or even imprisonment according to the Act.”
The arrests follow a July 14, 2026 public notice in which the BoG warned against several forms of currency misuse. The notice specifically identified money bouquets and other decorative uses of banknotes and coins as improper use of the currency under Ghana’s laws.
The restrictions also cover spraying money at social gatherings, scattering or stepping on banknotes, as well as tearing, crumpling, staining, defacing or otherwise damaging currency.
The central bank has urged the public to treat the cedi responsibly and respect its status as Ghana’s legal tender.
