In a decisive crackdown on illegal gold trading, the Ghana GoldBod Taskforce has arrested ten Chinese nationals in Asankragua, seizing over GHS 2.7 million in gold and cash, and signaling a tougher stance against foreign exploitation of Ghana’s mineral resources.
The Ghana GoldBod Taskforce has intensified its fight against illegal gold operations with a major bust in Asankragua, a town in Ghana’s Western Region.
Ten Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling gold were arrested in a carefully coordinated sting operation that revealed the growing sophistication of illicit mineral trading networks in the country.
During the raid, authorities confiscated 1.3 kilograms of gold valued at approximately GHS 1.4 million, along with GHS 1.3 million in cash and several casino cards an indication of possible ties to organized crime and money laundering.
Speaking to the media following the operation, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.) underscored the regulatory body’s commitment to enforcing Act 1140, which bars foreign nationals from participating in Ghana’s local gold trade.
The legislation is designed to prioritize Ghanaian ownership in the sector and curb rampant resource exploitation.
“Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading,” Gyamfi declared. “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.”
The operation has been widely hailed as a turning point in Ghana’s effort to clean up the gold industry, long plagued by smuggling, environmental degradation, and loss of revenue.
The arrests send a strong message to both local and foreign actors that Ghana is now tightening its grip on the enforcement of mining laws and taking bold steps to reclaim its resources.
The suspects are currently in custody and assisting with investigations, while GoldBod has pledged to intensify surveillance and enforcement across other hotspot mining communities in the coming weeks.
