Seventeen gold bars worth an estimated $1.7 million have been officially handed over to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) after they were intercepted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at the Paga Border Post in the Upper East Region.
The bars, which were being illegally transported by two Burkinabe nationals, were seized by officers from NACOC’s Upper East Regional Command. The suspects have since been charged with offences related to the illegal possession and transport of gold.
At a brief ceremony to transfer custody of the gold to GoldBod, senior officials from the Ministry of the Interior, NACOC, and GoldBod reiterated their commitment to halting the smuggling of Ghana’s mineral resources.
Interior Ministry officials present, including the Chief Director Mrs. Doreen Annan, and NACOC Director-General Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, described the operation as a landmark success in the country’s broader crackdown on illegal mining and mineral smuggling.
The Minister for the Interior reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for the Ghana Gold Board’s mission, stating:
“We are committed to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and ensuring they contribute meaningfully to national development. This interception is proof of what collaboration between agencies can achieve.”
GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi expressed deep appreciation for NACOC’s diligence and called for stronger inter-agency cooperation to secure Ghana’s mineral wealth.
“This is not just about gold,” he said. “It’s about the future of our economy, our environment, and our nation’s ability to manage its resources responsibly and transparently.”
The seizure comes at a time when Ghana is intensifying efforts to regulate the mining sector and curb illicit exports that drain the nation of critical revenue.
With the Paga interception marking a significant win, security and regulatory agencies say they will remain vigilant in safeguarding the country’s natural wealth, especially in border regions vulnerable to smuggling operations.
