As digital transactions grow, cash remains a vital part of daily commerce in Ghana. With the circulation of banknotes, the risk of encountering counterfeit currency is a concern for businesses and individuals alike. Knowing how to verify the authenticity of a cedi note can protect against financial loss.
The Bank of Ghana has emphasised that genuine cedi notes incorporate several security features designed into the material and printing process to make counterfeiting difficult . These features can be checked using straightforward methods like feeling, looking at, and tilting the note.
How to Check a Cedi Note
Feel the Note
Run your fingers over the portrait, the edges, and the numbers on the note. On a genuine banknote, you should feel raised printing in these areas. The ink is applied more thickly during the printing process to create this tactile texture . If a note feels completely smooth, it should be examined more closely.
Hold it Up to the Light
When a genuine note is held against the light, two key features become visible:
· The Watermark: An image of Tetteh Quarshie holding a cocoa pod becomes clearly visible in the plain star area. The denomination value can also be seen within this area .
· The See-Through Image: Designs printed on the front and back of the note align precisely to form one complete image . If the two parts do not match up, the note could be suspect.
Tilt the Note
Many security features on higher-denomination cedi notes only reveal themselves when the note is tilted:
· Spark Live Feature: On the GH¢10, GH¢20, and GH¢50 notes, a shiny, colour-changing image (cowrie shell, star, and cocoa pod, respectively) changes colour from gold to green as the note is tilted .
· 3D Security Stripe: The GH¢100 and GH¢200 notes feature a wide, shiny stripe with images that appear to move in three dimensions when the note is tilted .
Additional Verification
· Check the Size: Notes of different denominations have different dimensions. The size of the note should correspond to its printed value .
· Look Under Magnification: A magnifying glass can reveal tiny microtext printed on the note which is not easily visible to the naked eye .
· Use Ultraviolet Light: Some security features, including embedded fibres, are only visible under ultraviolet light .
What to Do If You Suspect a Note is Fake
The Bank of Ghana advises that if you receive a suspicious note, do not attempt to spend it or pass it on to someone else . Instead, the recommended steps are:
· Report to the Police: Contact the Ghana Police Service as soon as possible. Providing information about where and when you received the note could help authorities trace the source of the counterfeit money .
· Contact the Bank of Ghana: The central bank offers assistance to persons who need to verify the validity of a suspected note .
It is also important to compare a suspected note with another of the same denomination from a different source. The Bank of Ghana cautions against comparing a banknote to printed reproductions or internet images, as these can differ from the original . Possession of counterfeit banknotes is punishable by law, and circulation of notes is the sole responsibility of the Bank of Ghana .
