Refusing to accept pesewa coins could attract up to three years' imprisonment
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has cautioned traders, transport operators, and businesses that refusing to accept pesewa coins could attract up to three years' imprisonment, as it moves to address the widespread practice of rejecting Ghana’s lower-denomination coins.
In a statement released on July 22, 2026, the Central Bank expressed concern over the continued rejection of lower-denomination coins, including the 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa, and 50 pesewa coins, as well as the GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins, by traders, transport operators, and other businesses.
The statement noted, “Noted with concern, the widespread and persistent refusal by traders, transport operators, and other business entities to accept the 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa, and 50 pesewa coins, as well as the GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins, in payment for goods and services.”
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The notice follows an earlier directive issued on July 14, 2026, which addressed the physical abuse and defacement of the cedi.
The BoG stressed that all coins issued by the Bank remain legal tender under the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612), and the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), and have not been withdrawn from circulation.
It said no trader or individual has the right to reject the coins on the basis of inconvenience, low value, or personal preference.
Under the Currency Act, refusing to sell goods or services to a buyer simply because they are paying with coins constitutes a criminal offence. Anyone found guilty faces a fine, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
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Business owners who instruct their staff to reject coins are subject to the same penalties, and offenders may be arrested without a warrant.
The Bank said it would collaborate with the Ghana Police Service to enforce the directive and urged the public to report violations to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the police, or through its official communication channels.
Notice: Rejection of the Ghana Cedi Coins - Obligation to accept Legal Tender and Applicable Criminal Sanctions. pic.twitter.com/cFEthi6Flm
— Bank of Ghana (@thebankofghana) July 22, 2026
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