BoG Cracks Down on Cash Spraying as Governor Warns: ‘The Cedi Is Legal Tender, Not Confetti’

The Bank of Ghana has issued one of its strongest warnings yet against the growing practice of spraying cedi notes at social events, signalling that offenders could face sanctions as the central bank intensifies efforts to protect the integrity of the national currency.

Speaking during the 131st Monetary Policy Committee press briefing, Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama said the central bank would move immediately to discourage the practice, stressing that Ghana’s banknotes and coins are issued exclusively as legal tender for the payment of goods and services—not for ceremonial displays.

The remarks came in response to concerns over the refusal by some traders to accept cedi coins, a trend the Governor described as inconsistent with the legal status of Ghana’s currency.

“The coins we issue and the notes we issue are legal tender,” Dr. Asiama said, adding that genuine notes and coins must be accepted in commercial transactions.

Beyond addressing the rejection of coins, the Governor broadened the discussion to what the Bank considers misuse of the currency, announcing that public education campaigns and regulatory enforcement will be stepped up in the coming weeks.

“We want to discourage that practice; we are going to make sure that practice is stopped with immediate effect,” he said, referring to the spraying of banknotes at weddings, funerals and other celebrations.

The announcement reflects the central bank’s renewed emphasis on preserving confidence in Ghana’s currency and reinforcing respect for legal tender. By combining public awareness with potential enforcement measures, the BoG is seeking to curb practices that it believes undermine the dignity and proper use of the cedi.

The warning is expected to have implications for event organisers, entertainers and guests, particularly as cash spraying has become a common feature of high-profile celebrations across the country. While the Bank has prioritised public education as its first line of action, Governor Asiama made clear that sanctions remain available under Ghana’s currency laws for those who fail to comply.