GoldBod and National Security Bust Foreigners Attempting to Smuggle Gold

In a bold display of enforcement under Ghana’s new mineral trade regulations, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and National Security operatives have arrested six foreign nationals for attempting to smuggle gold out of the country, in clear violation of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

The arrests, which occurred this afternoon in coordinated operations in the Ashanti Region and Anyinam, form part of an intensified crackdown on illegal gold exports. Authorities say the suspects were intercepted while attempting to move substantial quantities of gold out of Ghana without proper authorisation.

Addressing the press at the National Security Headquarters in Accra, Prince Minkah, spokesperson for GoldBod, revealed that the six suspects were picked up in two batches.

• The first batch, arrested in the Ashanti Region before April 30, will be deported.
• The second batch, arrested in Anyinam after the new law came into effect, will be prosecuted under Act 1140.

“The individuals arrested before the law took full effect will be repatriated to their home countries,” said Minkah. “However, those arrested after April 30 will be held accountable in accordance with the law.”

Authorities also seized gold processing equipment, including gold counting machines, and large sums of U.S. dollars, believed to be linked to the smuggling operation.

The operation comes on the heels of Ghana’s decisive effort to clamp down on illegalities within the gold sector, following the passage of Act 1140, which bars foreign nationals from participating in local gold trade and grants exclusive trading rights to GoldBod.

“This is a clear signal that the state is serious about protecting its resources,” said Minkah. “Gold smuggling undermines our economy, and offenders will be dealt with swiftly and firmly.”

The arrests mark the first major enforcement action since the April deadline for foreign exit from Ghana’s gold trade. Government officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of formalising the sector and ensuring that gold revenues benefit the nation.

The Ghana Gold Board and National Security say more operations are expected in the coming weeks, and have called on the public to report suspicious gold trading activities.

“This fight is a national one,” Minkah concluded. “We will not relent.”