Bank of Ghana tells public not to repair torn cedi notes with adhesive tape

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has warned the public to stop repairing, re-joining or otherwise altering torn and soiled Ghana cedi banknotes for re-issuance or recirculation.

In a statement issued on October 7, the central bank said its attention was drawn to a video circulating on social media that shows individuals repairing and re-joining mutilated banknotes using adhesive tape as a business activity. The BoG said the practice should cease.

What the BoG is advising

According to the BoG, members of the public should not use adhesive tape to mend or re-join damaged cedi notes for the purpose of putting them back into circulation. The bank cautioned against engaging in or supporting such activity when it is presented as a commercial service.

The central bank also urged people with damaged notes to take them to commercial banks for replacement. The replacement route was presented by the BoG as the appropriate channel for dealing with torn or soiled notes.

How the warning came about and next steps

All three reports say the BoG's advisory followed the appearance of a social media video showing the taping and re-joining of mutilated notes. The outlets report the warning was issued on October 7.

The BoG has not been reported as announcing any enforcement measures or penalties in these accounts; the coverage focuses on the public advisory and the bank’s instruction to use commercial banks for replacements.

Why this matters

The advisory comes amid visible circulation of the social media video and aims to direct the public to formal channels for handling damaged currency. Using commercial banks for replacement keeps decisions about fitness of notes with the central and banking system, the BoG indicated through its statement reported by local outlets.

The BoG’s caution was carried by multiple Ghanaian news outlets on the same day, reflecting the central bank’s effort to address the practice quickly after it was observed online.