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Claim: A sachet water seller in a viral Facebook video posted by Bisame Buzz Trends insists that the 20-pesewa coin is “no longer accepted” as payment, as justification for her refusal to collect five 20-pesewa coins totalling GH₵1 from a trotro mate.
Verdict: False! The 20-pesewa coin has not been demonetised, withdrawn, or declared invalid by the Bank of Ghana. It remains legal tender. The seller’s claim that it is “no longer accepted” has no basis in law or official policy.
Full Text
A video shared by the Facebook page Bisame Buzz Trends has gone viral, showing a confrontation between a trotro mate and a sachet water seller who flatly refused to accept five 20-pesewa coins as payment for GH₵1 worth of water.
The seller’s position, as captured in the video, rests on the assertion that 20-pesewa coins are no longer valid or accepted.
This claim has become necessary to fact-check due to the misconception and chaos it may continue to create if nothing is done about it.
Verification
1. Has the Bank of Ghana officially withdrawn the 20-pesewa coin?
No. The Bank of Ghana has made no such announcement. The Bank of Ghana’s Head of Currency Management, Dominic Owusu, stated explicitly: “When there is a currency issuance or change, the Bank of Ghana will come with an appropriate press release to inform the public.”
No such press release has been issued for any pesewa coin. In fact, when similar rumours circulated about the one-pesewa coin, Owusu stated: “The central bank has not demonetised the one pesewa coin.” The same applies to the 20-pesewa coin; it remains in active circulation and has not been demonetised.
2. What does the law say?
Under the Bank of Ghana Act, all coins issued by the Central Bank remain legal tender unless officially withdrawn. No individual has the authority to reject them.
The Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242) further provides criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to three years for refusing to accept legal tender. The seller’s personal decision to reject 20-pesewa coins has no legal basis and, in fact, places her on the wrong side of Ghanaian law.
3. Why are coins often rejected?
Despite their legal status, rejection of small coins has become widespread in Ghana’s informal economy.
Reports by local media and statements from the Bank of Ghana indicate that many traders avoid coins due to inconvenience, low purchasing power, and rounding practices.
However, these practical concerns do not override the law.
Conclusion
The sachet water seller’s claim that the 20-pesewa coin is “no longer accepted” is false. The Bank of Ghana has not withdrawn, demonetised, or invalidated the 20-pesewa coin. It remains legal tender under Ghanaian law, and refusing it is unlawful.
