By Magdalene Andoh
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Richard Nunekpeku, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining its independence and integrity in the ongoing fight against illegal gold trading and smuggling.
Speaking in Accra following the recent arrest of 25 individuals allegedly involved in illegal gold trading, Mr. Nunekpeku stressed that GoldBod would not bow to political influence or interference in the discharge of its duties.
“At GoldBod, if you fall foul of the law, we don’t know any party colour. No call from anybody will make us succumb to pressure,” he asserted. “We will continue to do our work within the confines of the law, respect the rights of every individual we arrest, and give them the fair opportunity to defend themselves, including representation by a lawyer of their choice.”
He emphasized that the agency’s resolve to act impartially is key to restoring discipline and credibility within the gold trading sector.
Mr. Nunekpeku further disclosed that since the inauguration of GoldBod, the institution has not received any calls seeking to influence its operations, a sign he said, that the message of professionalism and independence has been well understood.
“So far, that message has gone down well with everybody, and we’ve not been receiving such calls,” he noted with satisfaction.
The Deputy CEO also assured that GoldBod would continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the successful prosecution of offenders, reinforcing the government’s broader commitment to sanitizing the gold trading ecosystem.
The recent arrests form part of an intensified national operation led by the Ghana Gold Board in partnership with the National Security and other relevant agencies aimed at cracking down on unlicensed gold traders, smugglers, and fabricators undermining Ghana’s mineral revenue.
