Ghana Gold Board, National Security apprehend 25 in anti-gold smuggling operation

At least 25 individuals, including foreign nationals, have been arrested for engaging in illicit gold trading, smelting, and assaying in Ghana.

The suspects, comprising four Indian nationals and Ghanaians, were apprehended in two separate operations conducted by the Ghana Gold Board in collaboration with the National Security operatives at Dome Pillar 2 and Akweteyman-Achimota.

At a press conference in Accra on November 10, 2025, the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, Richard Nunekpeku, Esq., stated that the first operation involved four Indian nationals and a Ghanaian arrested while smelting gold and manufacturing jewellery without a license at a jewellery shop in Dome Kwabenya.

Upon arrest, the first accused and owner of Mahalaxmi Ghana Limited, Bhaskar Jashu, voluntarily opened a safe containing the following exhibits: GH¢22,670.00, 34 pieces of assorted rings and necklaces.

Other items recovered included 22 rings, 50 additional rings, 2 cufflinks, 6 lockets, and 2 earrings, among others.

On November 7, the Deputy CEO revealed that three gold bars retrieved from the safe were assayed, with the report confirming their authenticity and a market value of GH¢453,032.73.

In the second operation, 20 individuals were arrested at the premises of Legend Precious Metal Ltd, located at Akweteyman-Achimota in the Greater Accra Region. Among them, seven were foreigners and thirteen were Ghanaians.

During the arrests, the team recovered eight metal bars suspected to be gold, which had been concealed in various parts of the premises.

The accused individuals, along with the exhibits, were taken to the Ghana Gold Board offices for further investigation. Searches also revealed various legal documents, including purchase and sale agreements for gold trading, assaying reports, and receipts.

Additionally, authorities recovered $112,500 and GH¢64,014.00 from several suspects. Sidearms were also seized from suspects Clement Agbaglo and Emmanuel McAddy at the time of arrest.

The Deputy CEO noted that while some of the arrested persons were granted police inquiry bail, 14 of the 20 arrested in the second incident have already been arraigned in court as of November 10, 2025.

“The activities of these individuals are having a significant impact on the country’s finances. The Gold Board is determined to ensure that all suspects are thoroughly interrogated, and if found culpable, they will be prosecuted according to the law,” he stated.

He added, “This is particularly important because the GoldBod Act prohibits all foreigners from engaging in gold trading in Ghana unless they are licensed by the Ghana Gold Board. All transactions involving our precious minerals must go through the proper channels.”

He reiterated the Ghana Gold Board’s commitment to sanitizing the gold trading industry by apprehending smugglers while providing licenses to those legitimately engaged in Ghana’s gold trade.