The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has warned traders, transport operators, businesses and the general public that refusing to accept Ghana cedi coins for the payment of goods and services is an offence under the law and could lead to prosecution, a fine, imprisonment or both upon conviction.
The central bank said all coins issued by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) remain legal tender and must be accepted for transactions nationwide.
A public notice issued by the bank on Wednesday said it had observed that some traders, transport operators and businesses continued to reject 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa and 50 pesewa coins, as well as GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins.
The notice follows an earlier directive, Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2026/17, issued on July, 14, 2026, which addressed the misuse and illegal handling of Ghana cedi banknotes and coins.
The latest notice deals with the unlawful refusal to accept coins issued by the Bank of Ghana as legal tender.
The BoG said all coins issued by the bank, including pesewa denominations, remain legal tender and have not been withdrawn from circulation.
It said no trader, transport operator, business or individual had the right to reject the coins because of inconvenience, their low value or personal preference.
According to the bank, refusing to sell goods or provide services because a customer is paying with coins or banknotes is an offence under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), unless the currency has ceased to be legal tender.
The BoG said anyone convicted of the offence could face a prison term of up to three years, a fine or both.
It added that any person who knowingly encourages or directs another person to reject coins, including business owners who instruct their staff to do so, is liable to the same punishment. The notice also stated that a person suspected of committing the offence could be arrested without a warrant.
The bank said it would work with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the law and take action against persons or businesses found to have breached the law.
It urged members of the public who encounter such incidents to report them to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the Ghana Police Service or through the bank’s official communication channels.
The BoG also called on individuals, businesses and institutions to accept and use the national currency in all its denominations in accordance with the law.
The notice was signed by the Secretary of the Bank, Ms Aimee Vyda Quashie, and dated July, 22, 2026.
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