The Bank of Ghana has cautioned Ghanaians against the use of cedi banknotes as bouquets and hampers when gifting people.
According to Bank, the currency was issued to be used as a medium of exchange for the purchase of goods and services and not for gifting people.
Addressing the media on how to preserve the currency as part of events marking the Bank’s Ghana month, Director of the Currency Department at the Central Bank, Mr. Dominic Owusu, noted that any other use of the currency was illegal and subject to prosecution.
He said the bank had noticed that some people were using the cedi notes as bouquets and hampers as gifts during weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, a practice he said must be stopped.
He also said beyond being illegal, such acts made it easier for the notes to wear out easily or get defaced.
Given that spoilt and worn-out notes are replaced at a cost, he said such acts affected the operations of the central bank.
He said the local currency was a great symbol of the country and efforts to preserve its quality and cleanliness must be prioritised by all.
