The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has intensified its crackdown on illegal gold trading, deporting three foreign nationals and preparing to prosecute three others under the newly enacted Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
The six suspects, all foreign nationals, were arrested in separate operations conducted in the Ashanti Region and Anyinam, according to a statement from GoldBod spokesperson Prince Minkah on Tuesday, May 14.
Early Arrests Result in Deportation
Three of the suspects, all Indian nationals, were picked up before the April 30, 2025, deadline for compliance with the new regulations. Although their actions were in violation of existing gold trading rules, they fell outside the scope of the newly implemented Act 1140, which exclusively governs local gold trading and imposes stricter penalties on offenders.
“They will be repatriated to their home country to reunite with their families,” Minkah confirmed, adding that the decision to deport rather than prosecute reflects the transitional nature of the law’s rollout.
Post-Deadline Offenders Face Prosecution
However, the second group of suspects, apprehended in Anyinam after the new law took effect, will face full prosecution. These individuals were allegedly caught with large sums of cash in U.S. dollars and specialized gold counting machines, which have been confiscated as evidence.
“Anyone caught trading gold illegally in Ghana after April 30, 2025, will be prosecuted without exception,” Minkah warned, emphasizing the Board’s commitment to enforcing the law.
The Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025, was passed earlier this year to eliminate illegal gold exports, tighten regulatory oversight, and ensure that the profits from Ghana’s gold resources benefit the local economy. The law provides clear guidelines prohibiting foreigners from participating in the local gold trade, reserving those rights exclusively for the Gold Board.
Zero Tolerance Going Forward
Minkah stressed that GoldBod will continue to work closely with security agencies to identify and apprehend illegal traders, warning that the era of leniency has ended.
“This is a clear message to all foreign actors—there is no room for illegal gold trading in Ghana. The law is now in full force, and we will not hesitate to act,” he said.
The move has been welcomed by industry stakeholders who have long called for stricter enforcement to curb gold smuggling and preserve the integrity of Ghana’s mineral resources.
