The Bank of Ghana has issued a strong response to growing public concerns
over the alleged misuse of its currency transport boxes for criminal purposes.
In a statement released on April 8, the central bank clarified that it has no
connection to any illegal activities involving the containers, stressing that
reports attempting to link the Bank to crime through the use of these boxes are
false and misleading.
The Bank addressed the issue after photos and reports surfaced suggesting
that the wooden boxes, originally used for moving currency, are being
repurposed and possibly used for unauthorised or unlawful acts. These boxes,
which are built to be durable and secure, have found their way into public
hands after official use. Some have ended up being reused for personal or commercial
storage and logistics.
In its official statement, titled “Use and Misuse of Bank of Ghana Currency
Transport Boxes,” the central bank explained that the containers are designed
to withstand the pressures of transporting currency safely and are often
returned empty by commercial banks after use. In many cases, these boxes are
later repurposed for non-currency-related needs due to their strong and
reusable nature.
The Bank noted that while it is aware of their reuse across the country, it
is not involved in or responsible for how individuals choose to repurpose them.
It expressed concern over what it described as deliberate attempts to paint the
Bank in a bad light by linking these containers to criminal activities.
According to the Bank, any misuse of the boxes for illegal purposes must be
considered a criminal matter and dealt with by law enforcement agencies. The
statement made it clear that the Bank of Ghana strongly disassociates itself
from such actions and called on the police to investigate such cases with
urgency.
The Bank stressed that these recycled boxes, once in the hands of the
public, no longer carry the authority or endorsement of the Bank. Therefore,
any crime involving them should not be associated with the institution. It
explained that the mere appearance of the boxes in any setting should not
suggest official involvement or approval by the central bank.
The statement further explained that the spread of misinformation could harm
the Bank’s image and erode public trust in its operations. It condemned any
attempt to link its name to illegal activities, warning that it will not
hesitate to protect its reputation from such damaging claims.
The Bank is particularly concerned about the impact of visual assumptions.
Images of the boxes appearing in unrelated locations have already led to
suspicions and doubts about the Bank’s involvement. The institution urged the
public and media to be cautious when sharing such images or claims, especially
when they are not backed by facts.
BoG also called on media outlets to act responsibly by verifying facts
before publishing stories that could lead to public confusion or fear. It
pointed out that the boxes in question were never intended for use outside of
secure, authorised currency transport operations and that any other use falls
entirely outside its mandate.
To maintain the integrity of its operations, the Bank said it is fully
committed to working with security agencies to track down any individuals
involved in misusing these boxes for criminal activities. It urged citizens to
report suspicious activities involving the containers so the necessary steps
can be taken to bring offenders to justice.
While the Bank acknowledged that public interest in the issue is
understandable, it appealed for calm and accuracy in dealing with the matter.
It reminded Ghanaians that the Bank’s core responsibility is to ensure
financial stability, including the safe movement of currency, and that it has
no tolerance for any action that could undermine that mission.
As a final note, the Bank reiterated that it cannot be held accountable for
how its currency boxes are used once they are no longer under its control. It
emphasized that it will continue to uphold transparency, professionalism, and
the highest standards of public accountability in all its operations.
The Bank encouraged the public to remain confident in its systems and
assured Ghanaians that it remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s
financial infrastructure, regardless of misleading reports circulating in the
media and online platforms.
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