The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has warned traders, transport operators and businesses that refusing to accept Ghana cedi coins in payment for goods and services is a criminal offence punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, the central bank expressed concern over the widespread rejection of the 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa and 50 pesewa coins, as well as the GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins, despite their continued status as legal tender.
The notice follows an earlier directive issued on 14 July 2026 concerning the misuse, abuse and illegal handling of Ghana cedi banknotes and coins. While the previous notice focused on the physical abuse of the currency, the latest communication addresses the unlawful refusal to accept coins in commercial transactions.
According to BoG, all coins it has issued remain valid legal tender under the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612), as amended, the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), and other applicable laws. The bank stressed that none of the existing coin denominations has been withdrawn from circulation or demonetised.
The central bank stated that no trader, transport operator, business entity or individual has the legal authority to reject coins on the grounds of inconvenience, low value or personal preference.
It further reminded the public that the Currency Act makes it an offence to refuse to sell goods or provide services solely because a customer is paying with coins or legal tender banknotes, except where the currency has ceased to be legal tender.
The BoG noted that anyone convicted of such an offence may face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both. It added that individuals who encourage or instruct others to reject coins, including business owners directing employees to do so, are liable to the same penalties.
The notice also states that a person found committing the offence may be arrested without a warrant.
To ensure compliance, the bank said it would work closely with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute offenders.
It urged businesses and members of the public to immediately stop rejecting coins, warning that persistent violations could result in arrest, prosecution, fines or imprisonment.
The bank also encouraged members of the public to report incidents involving the refusal of legal tender coins to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the Ghana Police Service or through the Bank’s official communication channels.
The BoG called on all individuals, businesses and institutions to support efforts to protect the integrity of Ghana’s currency by accepting and handling all denominations of the cedi responsibly and in accordance with the law.
