The Bank of Ghana (BoG), has issued a public notice warning Ghanaians against the rejecting the 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, GHC1, and GHC2 coins.
The BoG in it statement disclosed that the rejection of Ghana coins is a criminal offence.
According to the BoG, they have taken notice highlights widespread rejection of small-denomination Cedi coins (1-50 pesewas, GH¢1 and GH¢2) by traders, transport operators, and businesses.
They stressed that all coins issued by the Bank remain valid legal tender under Ghanaian law, with no discretion allowed for unilateral refusal based on inconvenience or value.
The BoG warned that refusing coins or aiding such refusal constitutes an offense punishable by up to three years imprisonment.
The BoG in a notice issued on July 22, 2026 read, “The Bank of Ghana has noted with concern, the widespread and persistent refusal by traders, transport operators, and other business entities to accept the 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa and 50 pesewa coins, as well as the GH$1 and GH$2 coins, in payment for goods and services.
This Notice follows the recent Bank of Ghana Notice No. BG/GOV/ SEC/2026/ 1 7 dated 14th July 2026 on the Misuse, Abuse and [llegal Handling of Ghana Cedi Banknotes and Coins. Whereas that Notice addressed the physical misuse and defacement of the currency, this Notice addresses the separate and equally serious matter of the unlawful refusal to accept coins issued by the Bank as legal tender.
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), as amended, the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242) and other laws in force.
A. Legal Tender Status of Coins
1. All coins issued by the Bank of Ghana, including the pesewa denominations, remain valid legal tender for the settlement of debts and the conduct of transactions throughout Ghana, and have not been demonetised or withdrawn from circulation.
2. 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.
B. Criminal Liability for Refusal to Accept Legal Tender
The following acts constitute an offence and are punishable under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242):
1. Refusing to sell an article to a buyer simply because the buyer is paying with coins or notes. except where that particular coin or note iS no longer legal tender
2. Where a person is convicted of this offence, the penalties include:
j) imprisonment for a term not exceeding three vears; or ii) a fine; or iii) both imprisonment and a fine.
3. 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.
4. A person found in the act of committing this offence may be arrested without a warrant.
C. Compliance and Enforcement
1. 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.
2. The Bank of Ghana shall work closely with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to enforce this law, and shall ensure that appropriate action is taken against any person or business found culpable of reiecting coins.
3. Members of the public who encounter difficulties in this regard are encouraged to report such instances to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, to the Ghana Police Service, or through the Bank’s official communication channels.
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”.
See the post below:
Notice: Rejection of the Ghana Cedi Coins – Obligation to accept Legal Tender and Applicable Criminal Sanctions. pic.twitter.com/cFEthi6Flm
— Bank of Ghana (@thebankofghana) July 22, 2026
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