Dr. Hassan Ayariga, the All People’s Congress (APC) Founder and Leader, has challenged the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to identify the precise legal justification for apprehending individuals who utilize genuine Ghana cedi notes to craft gift bouquets, cakes, and other decorative setups.
After seven persons were detained for allegedly using cedi notes in money bouquets and cakes for birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other celebrations, he made his remarks.
BoG must differentiate between genuine banknotes utilized as gifts and willful damage or destruction of currency, according to Dr. Ayariga.
“Ghanaians are free to give their honestly earned money as presents on birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other festivities,” he said.
He contended that the BoG must specify the exact legislation that has been violated before taking enforcement action in cases where banknotes have not been ripped, damaged, destroyed, or permanently changed.
“The Bank of Ghana must clearly explain which provision of the legislation has been broken if money notes are not ripped, disfigured, destroyed, or permanently altered,” Dr Ayariga stated.
He said enforcement must remain within the law and respect the rights of citizens, despite acknowledging the need to protect the cedi’s integrity.
“The Bank of Ghana is a regulatory body; it is not a law unto itself. Any arrest must adhere to due process, have a clear legal basis, and uphold citizens’ constitutional rights,” he stated.
The BoG was called upon by Dr. Ayariga to publicly define the legal standing and to give explicit instructions regarding the distinction between appropriate gift packaging and acts that amount to illegal currency handling.
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