Ghanaian police, acting on a tip‑off, detained seven women in Accra for allegedly using cedi banknotes to make decorative money bouquets and to embellish celebration cakes.

The Bank of Ghana has classified the misuse of national currency for such decorative purposes as a criminal offence that can attract fines or imprisonment.

Bank of Ghana officials warned that anyone who aids, promotes or facilitates the practice could also face arrest and prosecution.

Authorities described the arrests as the most significant enforcement action since the July warning, signalling a stricter stance on currency misuse.

The seven suspects will be charged in court, with penalties ranging from monetary fines to custodial sentences, pending judicial determination.

Popularity of money‑bouquet customs

Money bouquets and currency‑decorated cakes have become increasingly popular in Ghana as gifts for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other milestones.

The Bank of Ghana has previously spoken out against related practices such as spraying cash at events, writing on banknotes, and incorporating currency into floral‑style decorations.

Similar warnings have been issued by authorities in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Botswana, reflecting a broader regional concern over the handling of national currencies at celebrations.