GoldBod Taskforce Arrests 10 Chinese Nationals in Crackdown on Gold Smuggling in Western Region

GoldBod Taskforce Arrests 10 Chinese Nationals in Crackdown on Gold Smuggling in Western Region

In a decisive move to curb illegal gold trading in Ghana, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Taskforce has arrested ten Chinese nationals in Asankragua, Western Region, for their alleged involvement in gold smuggling and unauthorized gold trade operations.

The high-impact operation, conducted with surgical precision, led to the seizure of 1.3 kilograms of gold, valued at over GHS1.4 million, as well as GHS1.3 million in cash and a trove of casino cards, hinting at links to organized crime and potential money laundering schemes.

The sting is being hailed as one of the most significant enforcement actions by the GoldBod Taskforce since its activation earlier this year.

A Warning to Illegal Operators

Speaking to the press following the arrests, Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., CEO of GoldBod, reaffirmed the Board’s unflinching commitment to enforcing GoldBod Act 1140, which explicitly bars foreign nationals from participating in local gold trade—an industry reserved by law for Ghanaians.

“Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading,” Gyamfi declared. “We will not tolerate individuals or syndicates that flout our laws and exploit Ghana’s natural resources. The GoldBod Taskforce was created to protect the integrity of our gold trade, and we will continue to crack down on violators.”

Protecting Ghana’s Gold Industry

Illegal gold trading, especially by foreign nationals, has been a persistent threat to Ghana’s economy, depriving the state of vital revenue and undermining the work of legitimate Ghanaian miners.

The recent operation shines a spotlight on the growing sophistication of illegal trade networks. The recovered casino paraphernalia suggests that illicit gold revenues may be fueling broader criminal enterprises beyond Ghana’s borders.

The crackdown is being praised as a turning point in the country’s war against “gold mafias” and illegal foreign operators, many of whom have long operated with impunity in gold-rich regions.

A New Era of Accountability

GoldBod’s leadership insists that this operation is just the beginning. The Taskforce, backed by renewed political will and legal authority, plans to intensify its nationwide surveillance and enforcement efforts.

The arrest of the Chinese nationals is expected to lead to prosecutions under the GoldBod Act and other applicable Ghanaian laws. If convicted, the individuals could face heavy fines, custodial sentences, and deportation.

“Let this be a signal to all illegal gold traders—Ghana is watching, and the days of unregulated gold smuggling are over,” Sammy Gyamfi emphasized.

Background: The GoldBod Mandate

Established to regulate Ghana’s gold trade and ensure that the wealth derived from it benefits citizens, GoldBod plays a crucial role in the government's broader strategy to stabilize the cedi, increase forex reserves, and promote economic inclusion in the mineral sector.

This latest crackdown affirms the agency’s growing influence and the seriousness with which it is taking its mandate.