The Bank of Ghana has issued a formal warning to traders and merchants, instructing them not to reject cedi coins in commercial transactions.
The central bank's intervention highlights growing friction in the domestic payment system, where a preference for banknotes over smaller denominations is exacerbating liquidity constraints for small businesses and consumers.
The currency has depreciated sharply, losing nearly 9% in value as demand for US dollars outstrips available supply in the foreign-exchange market.
This directive arrives as the Ghanaian cedi continues to face significant headwinds.
The currency has depreciated sharply, losing nearly 9% in value as demand for US dollars outstrips available supply in the foreign-exchange market.
The weakness reflects persistent structural imbalances in the economy, with import bills and debt servicing pressures weighing on reserves.
The push to enforce the use of coins is part of a broader effort to manage the physical supply of cash and ensure that smaller denominations remain in circulation.