Send damaged cedi notes to banks for replacement – BoG cautions Ghanaians

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has urged the public to submit torn or mutilated cedi banknotes to commercial banks for examination and replacement instead of attempting to repair them for reuse.

The directive follows the circulation of a video on social media showing individuals using adhesive tape to rejoin torn and soiled banknotes for re-issuance as a business activity.

In a statement dated Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the central bank warned that taped, glued, stapled or otherwise improperly repaired notes are unsuitable for circulation and could cause damage to ATMs and currency-processing machines.

The BoG said such notes may also be rejected when presented for payment or exchange, potentially resulting in financial losses for their holders.

“All mutilated banknotes should be presented to a commercial bank for examination and replacement in accordance with the Bank’s laid-down procedures,” the statement said.

It added that anyone presenting a mutilated banknote for examination must provide more than half of the original note.

The central bank cautioned the public against taping, gluing, stapling or rejoining damaged notes for recirculation, stressing that it has the sole mandate for managing Ghana’s currency.

It also called on the public to handle banknotes with care and report persons involved in the improper repair or mutilation of cedi notes to the BoG or the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

The advisory forms part of the central bank’s efforts to protect the integrity of the Ghana cedi and ensure damaged banknotes are handled through approved channels.