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Deadline for old currency is December
31st
Sunyani Dec 14, Ghanadot/GNA -
Mr. Eugene Atikpo, Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of Bank of
Ghana has reminded those still keeping the old currencies
with them to send them to the nearest bank for a change
before the beginning of next year.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency he
stated that the old cedi notes and coins would cease to be
legal tender from January 1 next year and those possessing
some should not delay although they could still change them
at the banks next year.
“The old money cannot be used to purchase anything or
transact any business except when dealing with the banks as
from January,” he said, adding that, those still in
possession of the old currencies by the end of June next
year could change them at any bank.
Mr. Atikpo noted that some people felt it embarrassing to
carry the new cedi coins on them but reminded them that the
coins would be used more in the system as from next year.
“It is an offence for a buyer or seller to reject the new
cedi coins”, he warned, saying anyone caught engaged in that
would be made to face the full rigours of the law.
Mr. Isaac Asamoah, Sunyani branch manager of Baduman Rural
Bank, said the direct exchange of the old currencies for the
new ones by non-customers at the bank had ceased for some
time now but customers continued to deposit them.
“When the new currency was first introduced both customers
and non-customers rushed to the bank to change their old
monies just to have a feel of it but they no longer do so
because it is now common in the system”, he explained.
The branch manager advised all to take advantage of the
grace period given for the exercise and visit the banks to
change their old monies.
Mr. Francis Attah Duah, Administrative Manager of Nsoatreman
Rural Bank, said he did not anticipate any rush by customers
to deposit or exchange the old currencies for the new ones
before the December 31 deadline.
“There would have been some signs by now if there would be
such rush since even after the deadline, people can still
deposit the old currencies”, he added.
He said initially when the exercise started, scores of
people rushed to the bank anxious to receive the new
currency but as it became common their enthusiasm had died
down.
The Sunyani Area Manager of the Ghana Commercial Bank, who
spoke on conditions of anonymity, described as positive the
level of people’s enthusiasm and response to the new cedi.
He said reports from the Techiman and Berekum branches of
the bank indicated that customers were still bringing in the
old notes but in reduced stock because much of the old notes
were exchanged in the early part of the exercise when the
new cedi was introduced.
The Area Manager appealed to traders who sell to endeavour
to give change in the new currencies and to take the old
ones to the banks in exchange for the new currencies.
Mr. Michael Onwona, Sunyani Branch Manager of Barclays Bank,
stated that the bank was still receiving the old currencies
but not in large volumes as compared to the commencement of
the exercise.
GNA
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