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Gold Board places GH¢1 million bounty on suspected gold smugglers
The Ghana Gold Board has announced a GH¢1 million bounty on each of four fugitives believed to be behind a major gold smuggling syndicate.
Chief Executive of the Board, Sammy Gyamfi, told journalists in Accra that the syndicate is the most elaborate uncovered since the Gold Board was established.
He said the suspects identified as Rafik Mohamed Nandoli, also known as “Salaam,” Indian national Afsar Puthalan, and two Ghanaians, Abdul Karim and Sadiq Abubakar played key roles in moving large quantities of gold out of the country illegally.
According to Mr. Gyamfi, the syndicate financed licensed traders and used couriers to buy gold in mining areas.
The gold was then transported to Accra, where it was smuggled across borders into Togo and other destinations.
He revealed that investigations showed that Rafmore Gold Limited, owned by Salaam, had bought over 100 kilograms of gold worth more than GH¢120 million between June and August 2025, even though the company was not licensed by the Gold Board.
The Chief Executive explained that the syndicate’s operations were uncovered following a tip-off in August this year.
On August 27, 2025, a courier, Abdul Razak, was arrested at Winneba Junction with three packs of gold weighing 8.5 kilograms, valued at about GH¢10.2 million at the time. Razak confessed to being recruited by his cousin, Abdul Karim, and admitted to transporting gold for just GH¢500 per trip.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a licensed trader, Bernard Nkrumah of NK Benak Enterprise, and a Chinese national, Arin Liao. The three were arraigned in court on 5th September 2025 and later granted bail with strict conditions.
Mr. Gyamfi confirmed that Rafmore Gold Limited and NK Benak Enterprise had since been shut down, and their licenses suspended.
He warned that any licensed gold dealer who sold gold without proper receipts, or to unapproved persons, would face suspension, fines, or criminal prosecution.
He stressed that the Board was determined to fight illegal gold trading without fear or favor, regardless of the individuals’ political connections or influence.
“We are working with Interpol and national security agencies to track the four suspects, who we believe are hiding in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Dubai, or Togo,” he said.
He urged the public to assist by providing credible information that could lead to the arrest of the fugitives, noting that hotlines had been provided for this purpose.
Mr. Gyamfi assured that the suspects already in custody would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while the Board continues its efforts to protect Ghana’s gold resources from criminal networks.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Barely 24- hours after the directive issued by the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) Boss, COP Lydia Donkor, to Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS) authorities, the suspects are now in custody.
According to the CID Boss, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the assault on a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School, an incident captured in a viral video that generated widespread public concern.
She noted that on February 23, 2026, at about 9:00 pm, authorities of Swedru School of Business, led by the Assistant Headmaster in charge of Domestic Affairs, Mr. Michael Nii Kwaku Buxton, arrested and handed over three students,Joseph Amoh, 20,
Benedict Appiah, 18, and Bilal Mamud, 18, to the Agona Swedru Divisional CID to assist with investigations.
Following this, the CID has acknowledged and appreciated the prompt action taken by the school authorities in ensuring that the suspects were handed over without delay.
According to the Police, investigations remain ongoing and all other individuals connected to the assault are directed to voluntarily report to assist.
Failure to do so, the Police have hinted they would be tracked, arrested, and made to face the full rigours of the law.
The Republic of Ghana, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), is set to host a fugu and kente exhibition in Lusaka, Zambia, from March 6 to 8, 2026.
The event aims to strengthen Ghana-Zambia relations while promoting Pan-Africanism and African unity.
The exhibition, set to be organised in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka, will showcase Ghanaian culture and craftsmanship, highlighting traditional textiles like kente and local wear such as fugu.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana described the event as a boost not only for cultural and economic diplomacy but also for trade and agribusiness ties between the two countries.
The exhibition will be held at the Lusaka Showgrounds, where visitors can experience Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and the African personality in action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
