The bars were being smuggled out of the country by two Burkinabe nationals
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially handed over 17 seized gold bars, valued at approximately $1.7 million, to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) at a ceremony held at the Ministry of the Interior in Accra.
According to a Facebook post on July 29, 2025, GoldBod stated that the gold bars were intercepted by officers from NACOC’s Upper East Regional Command at the Paga Border Post.
The agency noted that the bars were being smuggled out of the country by two Burkinabe nationals, who have since been charged with offences relating to the unlawful transportation and dealing in gold.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting GoldBod’s mandate to safeguard and regulate Ghana’s gold resources.
“The Ministry of the Interior will continue to provide the necessary backing for GoldBod to carry out its duties effectively,” the Minister assured.
Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, expressed appreciation to NACOC and its Director-General for their vigilance and cooperation.
He emphasised the importance of ongoing inter-agency collaboration in protecting the integrity of Ghana’s mineral wealth.
“We are grateful for this successful operation and encourage continued partnership among our security agencies to tackle illegal gold smuggling,” Gyamfi stated.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Doreen Annan; Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey; and other senior officials from both NACOC and GoldBod.
MA