Weddings, birthdays, graduations and funerals are a big part of life in Ghana, and for many people so are the money bouquets, the spraying and the dancing on cash. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has now issued a notice saying these habits can land you in trouble with the law.
What the notice says
The notice (No. 17), dated July 14, 2026, reminds the public that the cedi, both notes and coins, is Ghana's legal tender and must be treated accordingly [1][2]. The BoG says it has noticed growing misuse of the currency, and that this hurts its quality, functionality and public image [2].
The following are now flagged as unlawful:
- Spraying or showering notes at weddings, funerals, parties and other gatherings [2]
- Scattering notes on the floor, or stepping and dancing on them [1][3]
- Making money bouquets and hampers [4]
- Using notes and coins as decorations, such as jewellery, fingernail designs or art displays [2]
- Tearing, crumpling, staining, soiling, writing on, cutting or otherwise damaging notes and coins [1][3]
- Using images of Ghanaian notes or coins without the BoG's permission [3]
- Buying or selling coins for more than their face value [3]
What happens if you break the rules
The BoG says offenders can be arrested and prosecuted, and may face fines or imprisonment [3][4]. It is working with law enforcement agencies to monitor how currency is used, and it is asking individuals, businesses and institutions to report suspected breaches to the authorities [3][4]. The restrictions rest on the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612), as amended, and the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242) [2].
Why the BoG cares
Printing and minting money costs a lot of public money every year [2]. Notes that are folded, glued, stapled, stained or torn wear out faster and have to be replaced sooner. That cost is carried by the public purse.
This is also not a brand-new position. In March 2023, the BoG's currency department already urged people to stop making money bouquets and hampers, saying the practice defaces notes and forces costly replacements [5].
What you can do instead
If you want to celebrate someone with a cash gift, you still can:
- Put the money in an envelope or a card
- Send a mobile money transfer
- Give a gift voucher or a physical present
- Hand over the cash plainly, in good condition
The bottom line
Giving money as a gift is not the problem. Damaging it, decorating with it or treating it carelessly is. Before your next celebration, think about whether the cash will come out of the event in the same condition it went in. If it won't, choose another way to show your appreciation.
References
- Bank of Ghana. Notice No. 17: Misuse, Abuse and Illegal Handling of Ghana Cedi (July 2026). https://www.bog.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Notice-No.17-BOG-SEC-GOV-2026-MISUSE-OR-ABUSE-OF-CURRENCY-THE-GHANA-CEDI.pdf
- Graphic Online. "Bank of Ghana warns: Spraying money at events, making money bouquets is a crime." https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/bank-of-ghana-warns-spraying-money-at-events-making-money-bouquets-is-a-crime.html
- MyJoyOnline. "BoG warns against spraying, defacing and using cedi notes for decorations." https://www.myjoyonline.com/bog-warns-against-spraying-defacing-and-using-cedi-notes-for-decorations/
- MyJoyOnline. "Bank of Ghana warns against misuse of cedi notes and coins." https://www.myjoyonline.com/bank-of-ghana-warns-against-misuse-of-currency/
- Voice of Nigeria (VON). "Ghana warns against use of banknotes as gift hampers" (reporting the March 2023 statement by Dominic Owusu, BoG Currency Department). https://von.gov.ng/?p=225509
