American, Moroccan and 4 Ghanaians arrested over illegal gold trade
The Ghana Gold Board Taskforce has apprehended six individuals, including an American and a Moroccan national, for engaging in gold trading without the requisite licence, thereby contravening the Ghana Gold Board Act of 2025 (Act 1140).
The detainees were taken into custody alongside four Ghanaian nationals.
According to the Gold Board, the arrests occurred during an operation conducted at the SSNIT Emporium, located near Marina Mall in the airport vicinity of Accra.
This operation was the culmination of several weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by the task force.
The Ghana Gold Board reported that the group had attempted to purchase approximately 2.1 kilograms of gold, valued at GH¢2.2 million, without proper authorisation.
Subsequent investigations revealed that refining equipment was in the possession of the American suspect, suggesting intentions to illegally refine gold within Ghana.
The suspects have since been presented in court on charges that include conspiracy to trade in gold without a license, illegal gold trading and assaying, and attempting to refine gold without appropriate approval.
These charges align with Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29) and Section 26(1) of the Ghana Gold Board Act of 2025 (Act 1140).
In a statement, the Gold Board Taskforce indicated that these arrests are part of broader measures to enforce compliance within the gold trade and to protect the integrity of the nation’s mineral resources.
“These arrests reinforce our unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal gold operations. Both domestic and foreign entities must adhere strictly to legal requirements by obtaining the necessary licenses,” the statement asserted.
The Board further cautioned the public that engaging in unlicensed gold trading, assaying, or refining constitutes a punishable offence, and urged all stakeholders to verify licenses before entering into any transactions.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have indicated that updates will be provided as the case develops.