Western Region: GoldBod Taskforce Apprehend 10 Chinese Gold Smugglers

The Ghana GoldBod Taskforce invaded Asankragua, a town in the Western region, after a tip-off. 

The constitutional regulatory body arrested ten Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling gold, marking a pivotal moment in the clampdown against illicit trade and resource exploitation in the country.

The operation was a meticulous sting, exhibiting the commitment and precision of the GoldBod Taskforce. 

In all, authorities took possession of an impressive 1.3 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately 1.4 million cedis, along with 1.3 million cedis in cash and a selection of casino cards. The materials recovered suggest a potential linkage to organized crime and money laundering activities, raising alarms about the depth of illegal operations within Ghana’s gold industry.

At a press briefing after the bust, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, expressed the board's dedication to enforcing the GoldBod Act 1140. This critical legislation explicitly prohibits foreigners from engaging in local gold trading, a measure designed to protect Ghanaian miners and bolster the economy. 

The CEO emphasized the importance of upholding the law to safeguard the nation’s resources from exploitation.

"Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading," Gyamfi vented. "We will not tolerate any individual or group that seeks to undermine our laws and exploit our resources. The GoldBod Taskforce is here to protect our gold from illegal exploitation, and we will hold accountable anyone who bypasses our regulations."

This operation shows a deep shift in Ghana's posture on illegal gold trading, which has long threatened the nation’s wealth and the livelihoods of countless local miners and businesses. 

The move and apprehension of the Chinese nationals also sends a clear signal that: the regime of unchecked and illegal moving of minerals such as gold is coming to a halt.