by Regina Benneh
The uncontrolled sharing, throwing and showering of currency notes and other forms of money at social functions, a practice nicknamed Money Bouquet, is gaining currency and becoming widespread nowadays.
This bad and unacceptable practice is often seen during birthday, wedding and graduation ceremonies and even sometimes during church services and funerals.
That growing trend of folding, rolling, gluing, and stapling the Ghana Cedi notes into floral arrangements as a decorative gift has negative effects on the country’s currency and culture.
Legal Implications
According to the Bank of Ghana, defacing, mutilating or abusing the Ghana Cedi is an offence under the Currency Act, 1964.
So, folding, applying glue and stapling the Ghana Cedi is an offence.
The penalty for such offences, according to the central bank, ranges between a fine or imprisonment or both.
However, the bad practice is still persisting in communities, partly due to weak law enforcement and public ignorance.
But, the ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Loss of Respect for the Ghana Cedi
The negative effect of the bad practice is lack of patriotism and the loss of respect for the Ghana Cedi.
As it bears the national symbols of the coat of arms, and imagery of the nation’s founding fathers, folding the local currency into flowers for public display undermined the dignity of the Ghana Cedi.
Scenarios
Checks showed that a standard money bouquet in Ghana now costs between GHC500 cedis and GHC15,000 depending on the amount of cash used.
That bad and unacceptable practice is creating needless stress for individuals who cannot afford the cost.
Mr Williams Oduro, a husband who offered a money bouquet for his wife shared his experience, saying he held the bouquet at a hospital after her wife delivered their baby.
“My wife even demanded a vehicle, but I could not afford and manage to please her with, and showered sums of money on her after she delivered,” he stated.
This and other experiences raise the question of whether Ghanaians now value the display and flaunting of money more than practical supportive love.
Another adverse effect is the damage caused to cedi.
The Ghana Cedi notes that are often folded, glued and stapled often become mutilated and cannot return to normal circulation.
Consequently, commercial banks often reject those notes, and the central bank ought to spend public funds to replace them.
Other Consequences
In fact, the bad practice also promotes unhealthy competition and inequality as the new media turned private gifts into public competitions.
Whenever a person receives a money bouquet, others are pressured to do more at celebrations.
The consequences are often evidenced in families diverting funds for school fees, hospital bills, and basic needs to buy money bouquets for occasions and events.
That shifts focus from real provision to public performance.
Impact on Children
The trend has now eaten into second cycle schools placing heavy financial burdens on children and their families.
Accordingly, the Ghana Education Service has warned school heads against the practice.
Mr Kofi Emmanuel, a concerned citizen, described the practice as bad, saying: “It makes orphans and the less privileged to remember their parents and even cry during their birthdays and graduations.”
So, that growing trend deepens emotional pain for vulnerable and less privileged children in society.
The Way Forward
For the nation to bring the situation under control, there is the need to intensify public education on the legal and economic implications of abusing the Ghana Cedi.
Defacing the Ghana Cedi notes is harmful to the economy and the central bank must take measures to curtail the practice.
It is also imperative to encourage the sharing of gifts through the use of vouchers.
As a “money bouquet” lasts only a few hours, entertaining and allowing the practice undermines financial discipline.
The Ghana Cedi is a symbol of national sovereignty and economic stability, and everybody must contribute to protect the dignity of the currency.
Handling the Ghana Cedi notes with respect and dignity demonstrates love for the nation, as real wealth is measured by what a person can save, invest and sustain, not by what they can gain and display.
The Ministry of Education must therefore be commended for suspending all graduation ceremonies in schools throughout Ghana due to rising concerns regarding what it described as excessive displays of wealth and flamboyance during these events.
In a press release dated June 20, 2026, the Ministry acknowledged the increasing public criticism surrounding the trend of extravagant celebrations that have become prevalent at graduation ceremonies in certain secondary schools.
Bravo to the Ministry for the directive! The Ministry deserves the commendation because schools are institutions for learning, character development, discipline and the nurturing of responsible citizens.
So, whatever schools promote must align with academic achievements and personal growth that reflect the values of modesty, dignity and respect.
