The Bank of Ghana (BoG), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has arrested seven people in Accra for allegedly using Ghana cedi banknotes to produce money bouquets and cakes for commercial purposes. Corrections Policy
The arrests form part of an intensified enforcement campaign by the central bank against what it considers the misuse, abuse and unlawful handling of Ghana’s currency.
The seven individuals were arrested at different locations across Accra after they were allegedly found producing decorative items incorporating cedi notes for customers.
The Bank of Ghana says the action is intended to send a strong warning to individuals and businesses that continue to engage in the practice despite previous public education and warnings.
Dinah Bonzi, Head of the Statistics Office at the Bank of Ghana’s Currency Management Department, confirmed the arrests and said the central bank would pursue enforcement against people involved in activities that improperly use the national currency.
She explained that creating money bouquets and money cakes for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other social events constitutes misuse and abuse of Ghana’s legal tender.
The latest arrests follow a public notice issued by the Bank of Ghana in July 2026, in which the central bank warned the public against several forms of improper currency handling.
The notice specifically identified the creation of money bouquets and other decorative items from banknotes as prohibited conduct.
According to the BoG, Ghana cedi notes and coins are the lawful currency of the Republic and must be treated in accordance with the law.
The central bank said practices that physically impair currency can undermine its quality, integrity, functionality and public image.
The warning covers more than money bouquets and cakes.
The BoG has also cautioned against spraying banknotes at social events, scattering notes on the ground, stepping or dancing on currency, writing on notes, tearing or crumpling them and other forms of defacement or mutilation.
The central bank has linked these practices to statutory provisions designed to protect Ghana’s currency.
Its July notice stated that using currency as decorations, including artistic creations, money bouquets, jewelry and similar products, can constitute tampering, alteration, defacement or improper use of the currency.
The growing popularity of money bouquets has made the issue particularly visible at social gatherings. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Customers often provide cash to vendors, who arrange the notes into decorative shapes that are then presented as gifts at weddings, birthdays, graduations and other celebrations.
For businesses operating in this space, however, the BoG’s latest enforcement action could have significant implications.
Vendors who have built businesses around cash-based decorations may now face legal consequences if their activities fall within the prohibited practices outlined by the central bank.
The BoG has indicated that the seven people arrested will be prosecuted. Possible sanctions include fines or imprisonment under the applicable law.
The arrests do not, however, amount to a finding of guilt. The individuals remain suspects and are entitled to due process, with any criminal liability ultimately determined through the appropriate legal proceedings.
The central bank’s enforcement campaign comes after months of public warnings aimed at changing attitudes toward the handling of Ghana’s currency.
In its July notice, the BoG said it had observed growing instances of unconventional currency use that could damage banknotes and undermine their quality and functionality.
The issue also has an economic dimension. Banknotes that are damaged, heavily soiled or otherwise rendered unfit for circulation have to be removed from circulation and replaced.
Frequent damage can therefore increase the operational costs associated with currency management and replacement.
Beyond the financial cost, the central bank is concerned about maintaining public respect for the cedi. Editorial Standards
Currency serves as a fundamental component of the country’s payment system, and the BoG has stressed that its proper handling is a shared responsibility.
The latest arrests could therefore mark a more aggressive phase of enforcement following the earlier public education campaign.
Rather than relying solely on warnings, the central bank and police are now demonstrating their willingness to investigate and arrest individuals suspected of violating the rules.
For members of the public, the development serves as a reminder that cultural or social acceptance of a practice does not necessarily make it legally permissible.
Activities involving Ghanaian banknotes must comply with the rules governing the use and handling of legal tender.
The BoG is consequently urging Ghanaians to treat the cedi with care and dignity and to avoid activities that involve altering, damaging or using banknotes for decorative purposes. Newscard
As the seven arrested individuals face the next stage of the legal process, the case is likely to renew public discussion about money bouquets, cash spraying and other traditional practices involving banknotes at social events.
The central bank’s position is clear: Ghana’s currency is legal tender and must be protected from practices that compromise its condition or proper use.
The latest arrests signal that the BoG, working with law enforcement, intends to move beyond warnings and take action against alleged violations.