An intelligence-led operation by National Security and Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) officials has resulted in the arrest of six Indian nationals for engaging in illegal gold trading in Ghana.
Three of the suspects were apprehended at Anyinam in the Eastern Region, while the other three were picked up at Adiembra in the Ashanti Region. The operation, led by National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman, also saw the seizure of hundreds of gold bars, thousands of Ghana cedis, and money counting machines.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 14, 2025, at the National Security Secretariat in Accra, Media Relations Officer for the Ghana GoldBod, Prince Minkah, confirmed the arrests and assured the public that the individuals involved would face appropriate legal action.
According to him, the first group of foreigners were arrested before the April 30 deadline set by the GoldBod banning foreign participation in the local gold trade. As such, they will be processed for deportation rather than prosecution.
However, he stressed that the second group, arrested after the May 1 enforcement of the GoldBod directive, will be prosecuted in court.
“For the latest bust, those involved will face the full rigours of the law. The confiscated items included gold bars, money counting machines, and cash in cedis. This is a clear warning to all foreigners—local gold trading is exclusively reserved for the Ghana GoldBod,” he stressed.
On his part, the National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman also revealed that some Ghanaians were complicit in the scheme, aiding the foreign nationals by registering companies in their names to help them evade taxes and conceal their operations.
He assured that investigations are ongoing and that all Ghanaians found to have played a role in the illegal activity will also be prosecuted.
The Ghana GoldBod had earlier announced a ban on all foreign and unauthorized individual participation in the local gold market, effective May 1, 2025. The agency now holds the sole authority to regulate and control artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the country.
According to the directive, any foreigner or individual wishing to continue in the gold trade must apply for approval to purchase or off-take gold directly from the GoldBod.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
