GoldBod Seizes GH¢35m in Crackdown on Illegal Gold Traders Across Ghana.

Ghana’s resolve to combat gold smuggling and unlicensed trading has entered a new chapter with the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) executing a sweeping enforcement operation that netted over GH¢35 million in gold and cash. The crackdown, spanning four regions—Central, Western, Ashanti, and Eastern—has put the illicit trade squarely in the crosshairs of national policy enforcement.

Through 17 high-stakes operations, authorities arrested 10 foreign nationals, including Chinese suspects such as Tang Da Jien and Wang Chun Ling. Seizures included:

? 1.3 kilograms of gold

? GH¢1.3 million in cash

? Casino cards used for laundering

? 12 pump-action guns

? Trading ledgers written in Chinese

The traders operated out of private homes and hotel rooms discreetly transformed into gold depots, evading regulatory oversight through elaborate laundering schemes.

GoldBod Managing Director Sammy Gyamfi announced a pivotal shift in policy: foreign nationals caught in illegal gold trade will now face criminal prosecution, not deportation. Backed by the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1142), offenders could face 5 to 25 years in prison, fines, or both. “No one, and I repeat, no one, can call me to release even a gramme of gold or a cedi of the money,” Gyamfi declared, vowing zero political interference.

Illegal gold trading has long undermined Ghana’s economic progress, draining foreign exchange reserves and sidelining legitimate exports. GoldBod’s strategy aims to:

1. Restore state revenue streams

2. Invest confiscated assets into community projects such as clean water, education, and healthcare in mining areas

3. Streamline gold licensing through digital platforms to improve transparency

The operation signals a robust stance on regulating Ghana’s most vital export while aligning enforcement with community development goals.