By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, July 22, GNA – The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has warned that refusing to accept cedi coins for payment is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The Central Bank said all coins issued by it remain legal tender and must be accepted in commercial transactions throughout the country.
The BoG said this in a public notice issued on Wednesday following reports that some traders, transport operators and service providers were refusing to accept coins, particularly the 20-pesewa denomination.
It said the one pesewa, five pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa, 50 pesewa, GH¢1 and GH¢2 coins had not been demonetised or withdrawn from circulation.
The Bank said under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242), refusing to sell goods or provide services solely because payment is made with coins or notes that are legal tender constitutes an offence.
According to the notice, a person convicted of the offence is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, a fine, or both.
The BoG said persons who deliberately encouraged, assisted or directed others to reject coins could also be held criminally liable and subjected to the same penalties as principal offenders.
It warned that a person found committing the offence could be arrested without a warrant.
“The public is strongly advised to desist from the rejection of coins issued by the Bank of Ghana,” the notice stated.
The Central Bank said it would work with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the law and take action against offenders.
It urged individuals, businesses and institutions to accept all legal tender denominations in accordance with the law.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni