In a major security operation aimed at clamping down on illegal gold trading, Ghana’s National Security has arrested six foreign nationals of Indian origin involved in unauthorized gold transactions.

The arrests were made during coordinated raids in Enyinam in the Eastern Region and Adiembra in the Ashanti Region, where the suspects were caught in possession of hundreds of gold bars, money counting machines, and large sums of Ghanaian cedis.

The operation, led by National Security Coordinator, DCOP Abdul Osman, comes in the wake of a recent directive banning all unauthorized individuals, especially foreigners, from participating in Ghana’s local gold trade.

Two-Phase Arrest, Different Consequences

According to Prince Minkah, Media Relations Officer at the Ghana GoldBod, the crackdown occurred in two phases.

• The first group, arrested prior to the April 30 deadline, will not face prosecution but will instead be processed for deportation in accordance with immigration laws.

• The second group, apprehended in the most recent raid, will face full prosecution in Ghanaian courts.

“For the second batch, they will go to court and face the law. This is a warning to every foreigner in Ghana—local gold trading is the sole reserve of the Ghana GoldBod,” said Mr. Minkah at a press briefing held at the National Security Secretariat in Accra on May 14, 2025.

Ghanaian Collaborators to Face Justice

National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman also revealed that some Ghanaians were complicit in the illegal activities, providing their identities to foreigners to register front companies.

“These foreign nationals used Ghanaian names to register businesses, conceal their identities, and evade taxes,” he stated. “Those Ghanaians involved will also be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.”

Gold Trade Now Under Exclusive Oversight

This operation follows a May 1, 2025 directive from the Ghana GoldBod, which bans all foreigners from trading in the local gold market. Under the new regulation, the Ghana GoldBod now holds exclusive rights to regulate and control artisanal and small-scale gold mining and trade in Ghana.

According to the directive, individuals or entities—foreign or local—who wish to continue in the gold trade must apply for approval from the Ghana GoldBod and may only buy or off-take gold directly through the official channel.

Background

• GoldBod Mandate: Ghana GoldBod is the newly established authority tasked with overseeing and formalizing the artisanal and small-scale gold trade in Ghana.

• Recent Reforms: The government’s move is part of wider efforts to sanitize the gold sector, increase transparency, and prevent tax evasion and illicit financial flows.

• Security Implications: The involvement of foreign nationals in unregulated gold trading raises significant national security and economic concerns.

Conclusion
The latest arrests send a strong signal to individuals and entities engaged in unauthorized gold trading. With sweeping reforms in place, Ghana’s government is reinforcing its commitment to tighten control over one of its most valuable natural resources and ensure that the benefits of the gold sector are fully retained within the country.