BoG Warns Against Repairing Torn Cedi Notes

The Bank of Ghana has issued a public warning against the practice of repairing torn or soiled cedi banknotes with adhesive tape and reintroducing them into circulation. This comes after a video showing individuals doing so as a commercial activity began spreading on social media.

The central bank says it strongly cautions against such activity, describing the Ghana Cedi as legal tender and an important national symbol that must not be altered or mutilated for recirculation. Banknotes that have been taped, glued, stapled or otherwise improperly repaired are considered unfit for circulation.

According to the Bank of Ghana, such notes pose a practical risk as they can damage ATMs and currency processing machines, and they are likely to be rejected when presented for payment or exchange. The Bank warned that rejections of this kind could result in direct financial loss to members of the public who unknowingly accept repaired notes.

The Bank of Ghana holds the sole mandate for managing the country's currency and says no individual or group should engage in the repair, re-joining, or any other alteration of mutilated banknotes for the purpose of re-issuance or recirculation. The bank says such practices undermine the integrity of the currency and compromise its acceptability within the broader cash cycle.

The Bank of Ghana has outlined a clear process for dealing with torn or damaged cedi notes. Members of the public are advised to take mutilated banknotes to any commercial bank for examination and potential replacement, in line with the central bank's laid-down procedures. A key condition applies: where a mutilated banknote is submitted for examination, more than half of the original note must be present for it to be considered.

The public has also been urged to handle cedi banknotes with care to reduce the rate of damage in the first place. Additionally, the Bank of Ghana is calling on Ghanaians to report any persons found engaging in the improper repair, re-joining, or deliberate mutilation of banknotes to the Bank of Ghana directly or to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

The Bank of Ghana reminded the public that it has the sole mandate for managing Ghana’s currency. It advised persons in possession of mutilated notes to present them to any commercial bank for examination and replacement, in accordance with laid-down procedures.