Some traders in Ellembelle refuse to accept 0.20 pesewa coins

Some traders and vendors in the Ellembelle District have begun rejecting the ¢0.20 and ¢0.10 pesewas coins as a means of payment, despite their status as legal tender.

Although there has been no official directive from the Bank of Ghana, several sellers and market operators have reportedly refused to accept the coins, citing difficulties in handling and doubts about their usefulness in transactions.

Investigations by the Ghana News Agency indicate that some traders justify the rejection on the grounds that the coins are inconvenient to store, while others claim they have little practical value in everyday trade.

However, a source at the Bank of Ghana head office in Accra, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no such directive has been issued by the central bank to withdraw or reject any denomination of the national currency.

The source noted that the Bank has received complaints about the increasing rejection of small-denomination coins, including the 10 and 20 pesewas pieces, and stressed that all legal tender must be accepted in transactions.

It further warned that refusing any valid denomination of Ghana’s currency constitutes an offence punishable by law.

According to the Bank, a public sensitisation campaign is underway to remind citizens that the coins remain valid and should be accepted in all transactions.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has encouraged the public to report individuals who refuse to accept any denomination of the currency to the nearest police station.

Data from late 2024 indicated that 20 pesewas coins accounted for a significant portion of coins in circulation, valued at about GH¢120 million, making them important for small-scale transactions and giving change.

Despite this, the coins are increasingly being rejected in some trading spaces, sometimes forcing consumers to accept goods instead of receiving cash change.