Authorities in Ghana arrested seven women in Accra over Ghanaian cedi banknotes allegedly used to make money bouquets and decorate cakes. The police acted after a tip-off, and the Bank of Ghana says the practice can lead to sanctions under the law.
The seven suspects were all women, and the central bank says the misuse or abuse of the currency may carry a fine or jail term decided by a court. Police have opened investigations after the arrests.
Dinah Bonzi on the arrests
Dinah Bonzi, who works in the Bank of Ghana's currency department, said the cedi is legal tender and must be treated with respect. She added: “The misuse or abuse of the currency is an offence and may attract sanctions under the law,” and warned that anyone aiding or promoting the practice could also be arrested and prosecuted.
Bonzi also said: “Today's arrest should serve as a clear warning to the public. Let us all handle the Ghana cedi with dignity.”
Bank of Ghana July warning
The arrests follow a warning issued in July, when the Bank of Ghana said misuse of the currency could amount to an offence. It has repeatedly warned against spraying notes, writing on them or altering them, including using them in floral-like bouquets and other decorative displays.
Bouquets of banknotes and cakes decorated with currency are often ordered as gifts for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other celebrations. That practice now sits in direct conflict with the central bank's rule that defacing or unlawfully altering banknotes amounts to misuse.
Police investigations in Accra
The arrests were carried out with police support after the tip-off led to a swoop in Accra. Authorities in Ghana say the seven will be prosecuted, and the court will decide whether any penalty is a fine or jail term.
The remaining question is the legal basis prosecutors will use in court against the seven suspects. For people still arranging money bouquets or cake decorations, the warning from the Bank of Ghana is direct: the display may be popular, but the currency rules now come first.
