In a significant move to combat illegal gold trading in Ghana, the GoldBod Taskforce, in collaboration with National Security, has apprehended 10 Chinese nationals in Asankragua, located in the Western Region. This major breakthrough occurred just 48 hours after the Ghanaian government imposed a nationwide ban on foreign involvement in the local gold trade. The suspects were arrested at a private residence where they were allegedly conducting unauthorized gold transactions.

The coordinated operation, fueled by robust intelligence, resulted in substantial seizures. Authorities confiscated 1.3kg of gold, valued at nearly GH₵1.4 million, alongside over GH₵1.3 million in cash. Furthermore, 12 pump-action shotguns, ammunition, calibration equipment, and a significant quantity of suspected money-laundering casino cards were also seized, underscoring the scale of the illegal operations.

Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, briefed the media on these developments, affirming that the arrested individuals would not be deported but would instead face full prosecution under Ghanaian law. He emphasized GoldBod's firm resolve, stating, “We mean business, and this time around, you cannot engage in illegal gold trading and gold smuggling and go scot-free.” Mr. Gyamfi highlighted that this swift action serves as a clear warning to illegal operators, particularly foreign nationals, that Ghana is committed to sanitizing its gold industry and enforcing the new directive prohibiting foreigners from buying or selling gold in the country. He reiterated, “The grace period is over and we have given countless warnings upon warnings. And so when you are arrested now, there will not be anything like deportation.”

This crackdown coincides with the official commencement of GoldBod's new gold licensing regime. GoldBod had previously warned against trading gold without a valid license issued under this new framework. Speaking at a press conference on June 30, 2025, Sammy Gyamfi confirmed that all gold trading licenses previously issued under the former Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) were revoked as of the non-extendable deadline of June 21, 2025. He unequivocally stated that any gold trading activities conducted without the new GoldBod license are now illegal. “If you are not licensed by the Ghana Gold Board, you are committing a crime if you buy gold or engage in any form of gold trading. We will no longer continue to respect the licenses issued under the old regime,” he declared, signaling the end of the era of illegal gold trading and clarifying that PMMC licenses or those from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are no longer recognized under the current legal framework.

Mr. Gyamfi further instructed investigators to build an ironclad case based on the evidence collected by field operatives, expressing hope for a favorable outcome as the suspects are expected to be arraigned before court for remand and further investigations.