The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), in a concerted effort to combat illegal gold trading and uphold the nation’s mining laws, has executed a series of impactful raids across four regions, resulting in the seizure of over GH¢35 million in cash and gold. This operation, conducted in collaboration with the National Security Secretariat, signifies a significant escalation in the government’s commitment to sanitizing the gold sector and protecting Ghana’s economic interests. The 17 operations carried out this year have targeted illegal gold trading hubs in the Central, Western, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions, leading to numerous arrests and the dismantling of sophisticated smuggling networks, highlighting the pervasive nature of this illicit activity.
A recent operation in Asankragwa, Western Region, exposed a major illegal gold trading ring operated by 10 foreign nationals. The GoldBod Anti-Galamsey Task Force, acting on intelligence, raided a private residence that had been transformed into an illicit gold processing and trading center. The raid yielded a substantial haul of illegal assets, including GH¢10 million in cash, 13 kilograms of gold doré (semi-pure gold), several gold-weighing scales, a gold smelting furnace, and an assortment of communication devices used to coordinate their illegal activities. This discovery underscores the organized and sophisticated nature of these criminal enterprises, which often involve significant financial resources and advanced equipment. The arrest of these individuals, all foreign nationals, has brought the issue of foreign involvement in illegal gold trading to the forefront.
The arrest of the 10 foreign nationals in Asankragwa, identified as Tang Da Jien, Wang Chun Ling, Wei Dong, Li Fu Shou, Wei Sheng Xin, He Shi Long, Wu Cheng Wei, Li Ren Neng, Fan Zhen Shang, and Zheng Xi Chuang, serves as a pivotal point in Ghana’s fight against illegal gold trading. GoldBod Managing Director, Sammy Gyamfi, has declared an end to leniency towards foreign nationals engaging in such illicit activities. Whereas previously, foreign offenders might have been deported, Mr. Gyamfi announced that from now on, they will face the full force of Ghanaian law, with potential penalties including imprisonment for five to 25 years, hefty fines, or both. This firm stance underlines the government’s resolve to deter future illegal activity and protect its natural resources.
Mr. Gyamfi has condemned the illegal gold trade not only as a criminal act but also as a significant threat to Ghana’s economic stability. He highlighted the detrimental impact of these operations, which deprive the nation of crucial foreign exchange needed for currency stability and national development. He emphasized the explicit prohibition of foreign nationals engaging in gold trading within Ghana, as stipulated by the Gold Trading Regulation of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1142). The suspects, operating clandestinely from private residences and hotels converted into gold depots, laundered their proceeds through casino cards concealed in large safes. This sophisticated operation, evidenced by trading records written in Chinese detailing gold weights, purity levels, and pricing, further emphasizes the calculated and organized nature of these criminal networks.
The confiscated assets – the cash, gold, and equipment – will be channeled towards developmental projects within Ghana’s mining communities, as mandated by Act 1142. These funds will contribute to the construction of schools, the provision of potable water systems, and the improvement of healthcare facilities, directly benefiting the communities most impacted by illegal mining activities. Mr. Gyamfi assured the public that the process of asset confiscation will adhere strictly to legal procedures, requiring validation by a Tribunal before the assets can be formally seized and allocated. This commitment to transparency and due process ensures that the seized assets are utilized effectively and ethically for the benefit of the intended recipients.
The GoldBod’s decisive actions represent a substantial escalation in the government’s ongoing fight against illegal gold trading and smuggling. The stringent enforcement of existing laws, coupled with the commitment to invest confiscated assets back into affected communities, sends a powerful deterrent message to those involved in or considering engaging in such illicit activities. The ongoing investigations to uncover local collaborators, financiers, and arms suppliers linked to this network signify a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes and dismantling the entire illegal gold trade ecosystem. This resolute action by the Ghana Gold Board is a critical step towards safeguarding the nation’s gold resources, ensuring economic stability, and fostering sustainable development within mining communities.
