The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a stern warning to the public to stop using Ghanaian currency notes to create money bouquets, describing the popular practice as unlawful and detrimental to the integrity of the nation’s legal tender.

In a formal notice released on July 14, the Central Bank expressed deep concern over the growing misuse and abuse of the Cedi through unconventional decorative methods. According to the BoG, arranging banknotes into elaborate bouquets constitutes tampering and improper handling of currency, which is strictly prohibited.

The Bank emphasised that the Cedi is issued exclusively for use as legal tender in everyday transactions and should not be converted into gifts, decorative items, jewellery, or artistic displays. “Currency notes are not materials for craft or ornamentation,” the statement implied, underscoring their functional purpose in the economy.

The warning highlights how the trend has become increasingly common at weddings, birthdays, graduation ceremonies, anniversaries, and other celebratory events. Creating these money bouquets often involves folding, piercing, stapling, glueing, or twisting the notes—practices that accelerate wear and tear, reduce the lifespan of the currency, and impose additional costs on the central bank for note replacement and destruction of damaged bills.

This directive is likely to have significant implications for event planners, florists, and specialised gift vendors who have built thriving businesses around producing sophisticated money bouquets for clients. Many small enterprises may need to explore alternative creative solutions that do not involve defacing or damaging legal currency.

The Bank of Ghana’s intervention aims to protect the physical quality and public trust in the Cedi while promoting responsible handling of money. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to find innovative ways to express affection and celebrate milestones without compromising the national currency.