Rejecting Coins Could Land Traders in Jail, BoG Warns
The next time a passenger offers a transport fare with coins or a customer pays with GH¢1 or GH¢2 coins at a shop, the seller may want to think twice before refusing the money.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a strong warning that refusing to accept Ghana cedi coins is against the law and could lead to arrest, prosecution, fines or even imprisonment for up to three years.
The central bank says it is increasingly concerned that traders, transport operators and other businesses continue to reject coins ranging from 1 pesewa to 50 pesewa, as well as the GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins, despite all of them remaining legal tender.
Coins Are Still Valid Money
According to the Bank of Ghana, none of the country’s coins has been withdrawn from circulation or demonetised.
That means every business, market trader, taxi driver, trotro mate and shop owner is legally required to accept them when customers use them to pay for goods or services.
The central bank stressed that businesses cannot refuse coins simply because they consider them inconvenient, too small in value or prefer notes instead.
Refusing Coins Is a Criminal Offence
The Bank says refusing to sell an item because a customer is paying with valid coins constitutes an offence under Ghana’s Currency Act.
Anyone convicted could face:
- A prison sentence of up to three years;
- A fine; or
- Both a fine and imprisonment.
The warning also extends beyond the individual cashier or trader.
Business owners who instruct their employees to reject coins can also be held criminally liable and punished under the same law.
In addition, anyone caught committing the offence may be arrested without a warrant.
Police to Enforce the Law
The Bank of Ghana says it will work closely with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance.
Businesses and individuals who continue to reject coins risk prosecution once found culpable.
Members of the public who experience difficulties using coins are encouraged to report offenders to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the Ghana Police Service or through the Bank’s official communication channels.
Why the Warning Matters
Coins are designed to make everyday transactions easier, especially for small purchases and the provision of exact change.
When businesses refuse to accept them, customers are often forced to round up payments, lose money on transactions or struggle to receive the correct balance.
The Bank says accepting all denominations of the cedi helps preserve confidence in Ghana’s currency and ensures the smooth functioning of everyday commerce.
It is therefore urging all businesses and the general public to accept and handle every denomination of the Ghana cedi responsibly and in accordance with the law.
