The Ghana Gold Board Taskforce has arrested six individuals, including an American and a Moroccan national, for their alleged involvement in illegal gold trading in Accra fter weeks of discreet surveillance and intelligence gathering,
The suspects, identified as Smart Philander (American), Nina Elfseky (Moroccan), and four Ghanaians, Nana Yaw Sarpong Boateng, Sowa Elisha, Evans Arhin, and Arnold Otutey, were arrested at the SSNIT Emporium near Marina Mall.
The group was reportedly attempting to buy and assay about 2.1 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately GHS 2.2 million, without the required licence.
Authorities say the arrests were made under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which mandates that all gold trading, assaying, and refining activities must be licensed.
During the raid, the Taskforce also found gold refining equipment in the possession of the American suspect, confirming the group’s intention to refine gold illegally within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
The suspects have since been arraigned before a court in Accra on multiple charges, including conspiracy to engage in unlicensed gold trading, engaging in gold trading and assaying without a licence, and attempting to refine gold illegally, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 26(1) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
