The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has cautioned the public against repairing, re-joining or altering torn and damaged Ghana cedi banknotes for re-issuance or recirculation.
The warning follows the circulation of a video on social media showing individuals using adhesive tape to repair and re-join torn and soiled banknotes as a business activity.
The BoG said such practices undermine the integrity of the currency and could affect the acceptance and proper processing of banknotes within the cash cycle.
It stressed that banknotes that have been taped, glued, stapled or otherwise improperly repaired are considered unfit for circulation.
According to the central bank, such notes can damage ATMs and currency-processing machines and may also be rejected when presented for payment or exchange, potentially resulting in financial loss to members of the public.
The BoG further reminded the public that it has the sole mandate for the management of Ghana’s currency and urged people with mutilated banknotes to take them to a commercial bank for examination and possible replacement under the established procedures.
The bank said anyone presenting a mutilated note for examination should provide more than half of the original banknote.
The public has therefore been advised not to tape, glue, staple, re-join or otherwise attempt to repair damaged cedi notes for circulation.
The BoG also encouraged the public to handle banknotes with care and report individuals engaged in the improper repair, re-joining or mutilation of currency to the Bank of Ghana or the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
The central bank reiterated its call for the public to respect and protect the integrity of the Ghana cedi as a national symbol.
