The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially handed over 17 gold bars valued at $1.7 million to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) during a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of the Interior in Accra.
The gold bars were seized by NACOC officers stationed at the Upper East Command, specifically at the Paga Border Post, from two Burkinabe nationals attempting to smuggle them out of the country.
According to NACOC, the two individuals have since been charged with offences related to the illegal transportation and dealing in gold.
The seizure forms part of NACOC’s broader enforcement operations aimed at combating transnational organized crimes, including illegal mining-related smuggling across Ghana’s borders.
Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, commended the commission for its swift action and assured the management of GoldBod of the Ministry’s full support in its mandate to oversee and protect Ghana’s gold resources.
He emphasized the need for stronger inter-agency coordination in securing Ghana’s mineral wealth from illegal activity.
Receiving the gold on behalf of GoldBod, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sammy Gyamfi expressed appreciation to NACOC, particularly its Director General Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, for the successful interception and handover. He called for continued collaboration between national security and regulatory agencies to ensure the integrity and safety of the country’s mineral assets. The ceremony was attended by Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Doreen Annan, as well as senior officials from NACOC and GoldBod.
