The Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) in Takoradi, has assured the public that it has a lot of new coins available for traders and commercial drivers within the Central Region.

A protracted power struggle between two factions of the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) over who to lead and oversee the church's finances and administration has caused three big collection boxes full of the old currency to be locked up in the custody of the Dzodze Police.

Dr Peter Awuah, the Clinical Director at the Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, has expressed worry at the alarming rate at which children swallow and get chocked on the Ghana cedi coins.

I would like to ask the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and our media houses, including the Daily Graphic this pertinent question that seems unresolvable between me and a few learned friends regarding the appropriate name for our currency. Is our currency now legally called “Ghana cedi” or is it still called cedi”?

I strongly believe that the Bank of Ghana had good motives for the re-denomination of the cedi. However, the bad side of this good intension is beginning to show its ugly head. A day has not gone by without one confusion or another regarding the cedi.

At exactly 11:59:59 pm, on Sunday, December 31, 2007, the old Ghana cedi ceased to be legal tender. However, about a week before the December 31 deadline, some people refused to acknowledge the old Ghana cedi as legal tender.

Further to our Notice No. BC/GOV/SEC/2007/14 on the Re-Denomination of the Cedi and the use of old Cedi cheques, Bank of Ghana wishes to remind banks, non-bank financial institutions and the general public that the use of Cedi cheques shall cease with effect from the close of business on 31st December, 2007.

The Bank of Ghana wishes to announce for the information of all banks, savings and loans companies and the general public that as part of the reforms of the National Payment and Settlements System, it has in collaboration of with the Ghana Association of Bankers, introduced the following:

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THE Inadequate supply of the new Ghana Pesewas has brought about changes in the prices of some items which cost less than five pesewas especially plastic bag.

In November 2006 the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Paul Acquah disclosed that Ghana was going to re-denominate her national currency, the cedi, by knocking out four zeros from the number of digits.

The rush by the public to have their old currencies changed for the new has gradually died down in banks in the Cape Coast municipality. There were no queues at most banks the GNA visited on Wednesday, with pockets of people, particularly children trickling in to have their money changed.

Now the Old Ghana Cedi is no longer legal tender. This means it cannot be used in exchange for goods and services or for any business transactions.

Beggars in the Tamale Metropolis had a "day out" on December 31, (deadline for the withdrawal of the old currency) when residents gave out alms in large sums in the old currency to them. They told the GNA that it was a gold mine for them.

Several traders in the Wa Municipality had a very hectic time on Monday convincing customers to accept the old cedis, a day before the deadline for its withdrawal comes into effect.