The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Taskforce has arrested six individuals, including an American and a Moroccan national, for engaging in illegal gold trading without the requisite lincence.
The suspects — Smart Philander, an American citizen; Nina Elfseky, a Moroccan; and four Ghanaians identified as Nana Yaw Sarpong Boateng, Sowa Elisha, Evans Arhin, and Arnold Otutey — were picked up at the SSNIT Emporium, near Marina Mall in Accra, after weeks of surveillance and intelligence-led operations.
According to the Taskforce, the group was caught attempting to buy and assay 2.1 kilogrammes of gold, valued at about GH¢2.2 million, without authorisation as required under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
Further checks revealed that the American suspect was in possession of gold refining equipment, confirming their intent to refine gold illegally within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
The six have since been arraigned before court in Accra on multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to engage in gold trading without a licence
- Engaging in gold trading and assaying without a licence
- Attempting to refine gold illegally
These offences contravene Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 26(1) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
In a statement, the GoldBod Taskforce stressed that the arrests demonstrate its zero-tolerance stance on illegal gold operations and its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s mineral resources.
“Any form of gold trading, assaying, or refining without a licence from the Ghana Gold Board is illegal and punishable by law. Both local and foreign nationals are reminded to comply strictly with the licensing regime,” the statement cautioned.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities say further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
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