Founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr Hassan Ayariga, has called on the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to clarify the legal basis for arrests linked to the arrangement of Ghana cedi notes as gifts.
According to Dr Ayariga, the central bank must distinguish between the deliberate destruction or mutilation of currency and the legitimate practice of arranging cedi notes as gifts for loved ones during celebrations.
He argued that Ghanaians should be allowed to give their legitimately earned money as gifts at weddings, birthdays, graduations and other occasions, provided the currency is not damaged.
“If currency notes are not torn, defaced, destroyed, or permanently altered, the Bank of Ghana must explain precisely which provision of the law has been violated,” he said.
Dr Ayariga maintained that the BoG, although responsible for regulating the country’s currency, must operate within the confines of the law and respect the constitutional rights of citizens.
“The Bank of Ghana is a regulatory institution, not a law unto itself. Any arrest must have a clear legal foundation, follow due process and respect the constitutional rights of citizens,” he stated.
He said while protecting the integrity of the national currency was important, enforcement measures should not undermine the rights and legitimate businesses of Ghanaians.
“We must protect our national currency, but we must equally protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate businesses of Ghanaians,” he added.
Dr Ayariga called for a reasonable approach to regulation and enforcement, insisting that citizens must be treated with dignity.
He therefore urged the Bank of Ghana to provide clarity on the legal provisions underpinning the arrests and draw a clear distinction between harmless gift packaging and conduct that genuinely damages or defaces the currency.
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