Hassan Ayariga, the founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), challenged the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to state the specific legal basis for arresting people using genuine Ghana cedi notes for bouquets, cakes and other decorative arrangements.
According to Hassan Ayariga, the BoG must distinguish between the deliberate mutilation or destruction of currency and the use of genuine banknotes as gifts.
He stated, “Ghanaians have the right to give their legitimately earned money as gifts during weddings, birthdays, graduations and other celebrations,” he said.
“If currency notes are not torn, defaced, destroyed or permanently altered, the Bank of Ghana must explain precisely which provision of the law has been violated,” Dr Ayariga said.
However, Hassan Ayariga acknowledged the need to protect the integrity of the cedi but noted that enforcement must remain within the law and respect the rights of citizens.
“The Bank of Ghana is a regulatory institution, not a law unto itself. Any arrest must have a clear legal foundation, follow due process and respect the constitutional rights of citizens,” he said.
He further called on the BoG to clarify the legal position and provide clear guidance on the difference between acceptable gift packaging and conduct that constitutes unlawful treatment of Ghana’s currency.
His comment comes on the back of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), together with the Ghana Police Service, arresting seven people for allegedly using Ghana cedi banknotes to produce money bouquets and cakes.
Dinah Bonzi, the Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the Bank of Ghana, disclosed that the exercise is intended to send a strong warning to individuals and businesses involved in the practice.
According to the BoG, the arrests form part of the central bank’s enforcement action against the misuse, abuse, and illegal handling of Ghana cedi notes and coins.
The BoG disclosed that seven individuals were arrested at various locations in Accra, adding that the seven arrested used the cedi banknotes to create bouquets and cakes for commercial purposes.
Dinah Bonzi stated, “The Bank of Ghana wishes to issue a warning to the general public for using 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 is illegal and unlawful”.
“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 Ghana cedi is a legal tender of the Republic of Ghana and must be treated with respect. The misuse or abuse of the currency is an offence and may attract sanctions under the law,” Diana Bonzi added.
Diana Bonzi added that the BoG and the individuals arrested will be prosecuted, with possible sanctions including fines or imprisonment.
“From here they will be prosecuted,” she said. “Fines or even imprisonment according to the Act.”
“Today’s arrest should serve as a clear warning to the public. Let us all handle the Ghana cedi with dignity,” she said.
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