Sixteen people, including Ghanaian and foreign nationals, have been arrested in a major crackdown on organised counterfeit-currency syndicates operating in the Greater Accra Region and surrounding areas.
The arrests followed six intelligence-led operations carried out between June 12 and July 24, 2026. The operations targeted groups allegedly involved in producing, keeping and distributing large amounts of fake Ghanaian and foreign currencies.
According to a statement issued by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the operations led to the seizure of four counterfeit-currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly used by the syndicates.
Security officials also recovered $543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000 in counterfeit notes that were reportedly ready to be circulated.
In addition, the authorities seized counterfeit coupons that were allegedly waiting to be processed and printed. These included $5.29 million, GH¢19.55 million and CFA623.55 million.
The NSCS said the crackdown followed months of secret intelligence gathering into reports that counterfeit money was finding its way into commercial centres, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.
According to the security agency, the groups operated through organised networks. These reportedly included people responsible for printing the fake money, individuals who helped move it across borders, and commercial dispatch riders who delivered the counterfeit currency to buyers.
In one operation targeting a suspected international criminal network, seven people — three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals — were arrested. Three vehicles and $65,900 in counterfeit notes were also seized.
At Amuzu, a suburb of Kasoa, security officials arrested one suspect and seized a currency printing machine, fake gold bars, mobile phones and large quantities of counterfeit currency.
Five other suspects were arrested during an operation in Lashibi and Klagon. Investigators said they found printing equipment and a storage facility containing large quantities of materials used to produce counterfeit currency.
Another operation at Lakeside Estate led to the arrest of a suspected distributor. Security officials also seized five boxes of counterfeit GH¢200 notes with an estimated face value of GH¢12.42 million, as well as two motorcycles.
The NSCS said some of the suspected groups allegedly used religious and administrative premises as cover for printing and storing counterfeit money.
All 16 suspects have reportedly been remanded into state custody, while case dockets have been submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.
Formal prosecution is ongoing at the Accra High Court, while security agencies continue their efforts to find other suspects identified during the investigations.
The NSCS said prosecutors have also started processes to seek the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile phones allegedly used in the operations.
The security agency has urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to remain alert.
It also encouraged them to report suspicious large-scale printing activities and unusual foreign-currency transactions to the appropriate security agencies.
