Ghana Gold Board Taskforce has arrested six individuals in Accra for allegedly conducting unlicensed gold trading and refining activities valued at GH₵2.2 million.
The arrests, carried out at the SSNIT Emporium near Marina Mall, follow weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Among those detained are American citizen Smart Philander, Moroccan national Nina Elfseky, and four Ghanaians — Nana Yaw Sarpong Boateng, Sowa Elisha, Evans Arhin, and Arnold Otutey.
According to GoldBod, the suspects were caught attempting to buy and assay approximately 2.1 kilograms of gold without the legally required licence under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
During the operation, authorities also discovered gold refining equipment in possession of the American suspect, suggesting plans to illegally refine gold within the country.
The six have since been arraigned in an Accra court on multiple charges, including conspiracy to trade gold without a licence, illegal gold trading and assaying, and attempting to refine gold without proper authorisation, in violation of Sections 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and 26(1) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
The Ghana Gold Board reiterated its commitment to enforcing the country’s gold trading regulations and warned both locals and foreigners that engaging in unlicensed gold activities is illegal and punishable by law.
Investigations into the case are ongoing, and authorities have promised further updates as proceedings continue.
