The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has confirmed the deportation of three out of six foreign nationals arrested for gold smuggling, while the remaining three will be prosecuted under the newly enacted gold trading law.
Prince Minkah, spokesperson for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), revealed the decision during a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, May 14, stating that the six suspects were arrested in two separate operations.
The first group of three suspects was apprehended in the Ashanti Region prior to the enforcement of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
As their arrest took place before the April 30 deadline for foreigners to exit Ghana’s local gold trade, they will be deported.
These individuals will be prosecuted under the new law, which grants exclusive rights over local gold trading to the Gold Board. Authorities seized gold counting machines and cash (USD) during the operation.
“They will be repatriated to their home country to reunite with their families” he said.
The second batch of three suspects was arrested in Anyinam after the new law took effect.
Mr. Minkah emphasized that the Ghana Gold Board Act strictly forbids foreign nationals from engaging in Ghana’s local gold trade.
“If you’re a foreigner and caught trading gold illegally, you will face the law,” he warned.
While the first group was shown leniency because their arrest occurred before the deadline, the second group will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
