The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) says a Ghanaian pastor, Rev. Emmanuel Boakye-Danquah, is wanted after security and intelligence agencies dismantled four major counterfeit currency production and distribution networks operating in parts of the Greater Accra Region.
Rev. Boakye-Danquah was identified by the NSCS as a suspect in one of the operations and is currently at large.
The crackdown followed months of covert intelligence gathering and targeted six operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026.
According to the NSCS, the operations resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects and the seizure of four counterfeit currency printing machines, six vehicles, two motorcycles, and large quantities of finished counterfeit notes and unprocessed currency coupons.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, the Secretariat said one of the major operations on June 29 targeted an office facility at Lashibi and Klagon, where five people were arrested and printing equipment recovered.
Further intelligence reportedly led investigators to the headquarters of a religious facility in Klagon, where administrative offices and residential quarters were allegedly being used to produce and store counterfeit currency.
One printing machine and two operational vehicles were seized during the operation.
The NSCS said investigators also recovered counterfeit currency coupons valued at US$5,287,900, CFA623,530,000 and GH¢7,129,000.
The Secretariat said intelligence analysis had revealed that some of the criminal networks allegedly used churches and other religious administrative premises to conceal their operations and reduce suspicion around the presence of printing equipment and currency materials.
Across the operations, security agencies reportedly seized US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000 in finished counterfeit notes.
Unprocessed coupons allegedly intended for further printing were also seized, with reported values of US$5,293,500, GH¢19,553,700 and CFA623,550,000.
The NSCS said all 16 arrested suspects, together with physical and digital exhibits, had been transferred to the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) for forensic examination and further legal processes.
It added that case dockets had been completed and submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, while prosecution proceedings were ongoing at the Accra High Court, General Jurisdiction.
The Secretariat said the arrested suspects had been remanded into state custody.
The first operation took place on June 12 at Amuzu, near Kasoa, where security operatives targeted a residential compound allegedly operating under the cover of a traditional spiritual centre.
One suspect, Nana Nyarko Derrick Dapaah, was arrested, while a printing machine, fake gold bars, five mobile phones and assorted counterfeit notes and coupons were seized.
In a separate operation, security agencies targeted what the NSCS described as a transnational criminal cell allegedly involved in transporting high-grade foreign counterfeit currency between commercial centres using unregistered vehicles.
Seven suspects—three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals—were arrested. Three unregistered vehicles and US$65,900 in counterfeit notes were also seized.
On July 9, operatives intercepted a commercial dispatch rider near the Lakeside Shell Filling Station who was allegedly transporting pre-packaged counterfeit currency to customers.
Issah Ibrahim was arrested, while Adamu Haruna was identified as being at large.
Five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes with an estimated face value of GH¢12,421,600 were seized, alongside two registered motorcycles.
Another operation led to the arrest of 54-year-old Solomon Acheampong at an alleged regional distribution point.
The NSCS identified Amankwah Bismark as a suspected kingpin who remains at large.
A white Toyota Corolla, three mobile phones, GH¢500 in genuine currency and assorted counterfeit coupons were seized.
The final operation on July 24 targeted a hotel facility at Achimota Mile 7, where 50-year-old Osman Iddrisu, described by the NSCS as a key technical operator, was arrested with mobile printing equipment.
A subsequent search of his residence at Amasaman reportedly uncovered a fully equipped secondary printing facility.
Two printing machines and quantities of counterfeit notes and coupons were seized.
The NSCS said the networks involved structured operations comprising alleged transnational facilitators, technical printing operators and commercial couriers who used motorcycles to distribute counterfeit currency.
It warned that the large-scale production and circulation of counterfeit currency could undermine monetary stability by contributing to artificial inflation, exchange-rate distortions and disruptions within the financial sector.
The Secretariat said special intelligence teams remained deployed to locate and arrest other suspects identified during the investigations.
State prosecutors have also begun processes to seek the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the operations.
The NSCS has urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to strengthen due diligence over activities conducted on their premises.
It further called on the public to report suspicious high-volume printing activities, particularly those carried out at unusual hours, as well as unusual foreign currency transactions, to the nearest security agency.
