Create awareness on use of Ghana pesewa coins

Dear Editor,

I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.

About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.

The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.

I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.

Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.

As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.

This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.

It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.

Mary Osei Badu,

Swedru