Ghanaian Traders Refuse to Accept 20 and 10 Pesewa Coins: “Arrest Them”
- A Ghanaian citizen tested the acceptance rate of 10 and 20 pesewa coins by traders and shared the video evidence online
- Several traders were not willing to accept the coins as legal tender and gave reasons for refusing, which got many talking
- Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana had earlier cautioned traders and the public over a refusal to accept lower-denomination coins
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A Ghanaian citizen decided to purchase items using 10 and 20 pesewa coins, which many claim sellers no longer accept.
The young man performed an experiment to test whether the public allegations about the local tender were true or false.
Source: UGC
In several videos he shared on X while engaging different traders, they all told him that they would sell to him, but were not willing to accept the 10 and 20 pesewas he was holding.
Some of the traders gave him reasons for not accepting the coins, while others rejected them without any explanation.
"We no longer accept this money. We only take higher notes. If you take it to other sellers, they won't accept it," one trader explained.
Another person claimed that the government had banned the lower denominations, and only one trader out of the many accepted the 10 and 20 pesewa coins the man gave to him.
Watch the X clip below:
BoG cautions traders over refusing pesewas
Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) had earlier cautioned traders and the public over the refusal to accept lower-denomination coins.
Citi Newsroom cited the central bank as saying that the practice could distort pricing, weaken transactions, and contribute to rising inflation.
In a set of responses published following its March 2026 bi-monthly media engagement, the BoG stated that coins such as the one, five, 10, and 20 pesewa remained legal tender and must be accepted for all transactions.
Netizens condemn traders refusing smaller denominations
YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the video shared by @xghana on X. Read them below:
@dandeegamer said:
"You won’t accept the coins, so when prices are increasing, then they increase with the note, you will come to complain. The abrofo you want to be like spends to the last denomination of their currency 1cent/penny."
@jlinksmedia said:
"Who even tell them say them to ban am sef hmm🤦🏻♂️."
@GhFackinston wrote:
"The approach is very bad. Why did you ask her if she would collect or not? You have an agenda, bro!"
@TOKYO_129 said:
"Why are you asking them if they will accept it? Just buy and make a payment and leave them."
@ansuedwin14 wrote:
"A lot of market women reject the 20 Ghana pesewas coins. The reason is unknown, and it’s annoying."
@_titusck said:
"Then police man will be on one side, if you reject it, then you’re arrested. By one week, everyone will fall back to their senses😎."
@TankoD6595 wrote:
"When you buy items, and they don't want to accept them, simply report anyone who refuses to accept the money to @GhPoliceService."
@JALELABDULWAHAB said:
"A massive nationwide campaign needs to be done by BOG to inform people that it is a crime to refuse any cedi denomination for the exchange of goods and services."
@Tozo6017 wrote:
"That is why in Europe, goods are priced with the last two digits in cents, e.g., 20.99 cents. 25.95 cents. 10.18 cents and the rest. This is done to protect the coins. And governments make sure the coins are available. Even 1 cent at the supermarket is refunded."
Source: Facebook
Trader rants over harsh economy
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a beans trader had confronted President John Mahama over the higher costs of living.
He complained about high supply and low demand for beans and spoke in a tone many viewers deemed disrespectful.
Another trader supported the seller's rant, comparing current food prices to those under Nana Akufu-Addo's governance.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
