By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Ghanaian authorities have arrested three Indian nationals suspected of operating a gold smuggling ring that has allegedly trafficked tonnes of gold out of the country over the past decade, officials said on Tuesday.
The suspects, aged 22, 35, and 42, were apprehended in Kumasi, in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. According to the country’s newly formed gold trading regulator, GoldBod, their residence had been converted into an unauthorized gold trading center.
“They were running a full-scale operation without any legal documentation. No residence permits, no work authorisations, no tax records nothing,” said Prince Kwame Minkah, spokesperson for GoldBod.
“This is the kind of illegal activity we were created to stop.”
Authorities seized 4.36 kilograms of gold, 1.9 million cedis (approximately $134,000), 4,500 Indian rupees, two currency counting machines, a CCTV recorder, and an Indian passport from the premises.
GoldBod stated that the suspects pleaded guilty during their arraignment and have been remanded into custody until a court hearing scheduled for May 12.
“This is just the beginning,” Minkah added. “Much of the smuggled gold ends up in India, China, and the UAE. Ghana loses billions every year, and it’s time we took a firm stand.”
GoldBod was established in March as part of the government’s efforts to curb rampant gold smuggling by centralizing the purchase of gold from small-scale miners.
Under the new policy, only GoldBod is authorized to sell gold to foreign buyers.
“This regulatory body is not only about tightening control but also about protecting the livelihoods of legitimate small-scale miners,” said Minkah.
“We will ensure that gold benefits Ghanaians first, not international syndicates.”
The case has drawn attention to the scale of illegal gold trade across West Africa and the increasing scrutiny by governments seeking to safeguard natural resources.
