- A viral video has reignited debate around the traditional Ghanaian savings method known as the ‘susu’ box.
- A woman discovered her savings had been shredded by mice, sparking public sympathy and concern.
- The susu box remains a popular tool for grassroots saving, especially among those without access to formal banking.
- While many have successfully saved large sums using this method, the incident highlights its vulnerabilities.
- The story has prompted renewed calls for safer, more secure ways to teach and practice financial discipline.
The susu box — a simple, often handmade container used by Ghanaians to store coins and cash — has long stood as a symbol of discipline and self-reliance. For many, it’s more than a piggy bank; it’s a quiet financial strategy rooted in tradition and trust.
But a viral video has exposed the fragility of this beloved practice. A woman, devastated and in tears, shared her story after discovering that mice had invaded her susu box and shredded the money she had saved over time. The footage, now widely discussed, has sparked a wave of sympathy and a serious conversation about the risks of physical cash storage.
While some Ghanaians have proudly saved thousands using susu boxes — with one man reportedly saving over GHC2,800 in a single year — others are now reconsidering the method. The incident has highlighted how easily months of effort can be undone by something as small as a rodent.
The susu box remains deeply woven into Ghanaian life, especially among market traders, students, and families who prefer tangible savings over digital platforms. But as this story shows, saving isn’t just about discipline — it’s about protection. And in a world where financial literacy is evolving, the need for safer alternatives is becoming harder to ignore.
The conversation has also turned toward youth education, with many urging parents and schools to teach children not just how to save, but how to safeguard what they save. Whether through improved physical storage or gradual shifts to mobile savings, the goal remains the same: to preserve the spirit of the susu box while protecting the money inside.
Watch the videos below:
Just opened my Susu box
I think it should be about 7months
10,822gh😂😂 pic.twitter.com/5ajxmGqAbd
— MissEnny (@MissEnny11) December 25, 2024
A student from Ghana creates the “susu box,” an automated and sophisticated money-saving device.
Blacko Ghana VGMA pic.twitter.com/EOykpSe8jh
— John Curtis (@Curtis_Og1) February 1, 2023
Any lawyer here? Is there any law that can grab these guys for hoarding all the state coins? They’re the reason why shop keepers always Dey tell us “bra menni 1cedi o” pic.twitter.com/cr0R7uxXmS
— MrMane (@kin_Mane4u) January 26, 2025