A major operation spearheaded by the soon-to-be-launched task force of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has resulted in the arrest of ten Chinese nationals involved in illegal gold trading and smuggling at a private residence in Asankragwa, Western Region.
The high-stakes raid, based on weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, uncovered a sophisticated illicit gold trade network operating out of the residence. Authorities seized 1.3 kilograms of raw gold valued at GH¢1.4 million, an additional GH¢1.3 million in cash, 12 pump-action shotguns with cartridges, detailed records of gold transactions, and several high-value casino cards suspected to be part of a money laundering scheme.
Addressing journalists at the National Security Headquarters in Accra, Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, described the arrests as a clear signal of the Board’s readiness to crack down on illegal operators undermining Ghana’s gold industry.
“This operation is a direct result of our intelligence-led enforcement strategy. The suspects will face the full rigour of the law. We are working with the Attorney-General’s office to activate swift legal proceedings,” he stated.
Mr Gyamfi emphasized that the arrests form part of a broader national effort under the new GoldBod Act, which aims to regulate and sanitise the gold trade, plug revenue leakages, and curb smuggling.
He reiterated that, effective July 1, all gold trading activities in Ghana must be licensed by GoldBod, warning that any operator without proper authorisation would face arrest and prosecution.
The GoldBod task force, which is expected to be officially inaugurated in the coming weeks, has been mandated to enforce strict compliance with the country’s gold trading laws and to collaborate with national security and law enforcement agencies in clamping down on illicit mining and smuggling networks.
The latest arrests mark a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to formalise its mineral economy and safeguard national resources.
