The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced that three foreign nationals will be deported, while three others will be prosecuted for smuggling gold in Ghana.
According to the Board’s spokesperson, Prince Minkah, the arrests were made in two separate operations. The first group of three, who were caught in the Ashanti Region before Ghana’s new gold trading law came into effect, will be sent back to their home country, India.
“These individuals were arrested before April 30, the deadline given to all foreigners to stop trading in Ghana’s local gold market. They will be repatriated to reunite with their families,” Mr. Minkah said during a press conference in Accra.
The second group was arrested in Anyinam after the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), took effect. These individuals will be prosecuted under the new law, which bans foreigners from engaging in local gold trading. Gold counting machines and cash in US dollars were seized from them as evidence.
“If you’re a foreigner and caught trading gold illegally, you will face the law,” Mr. Minkah warned.
The new law was introduced to regulate gold trading and stop illegal exports. Foreigners were given until April 30 to exit the local gold trade. Those who stayed beyond that date now risk arrest and prosecution.
