The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced the arrest and prosecution of a gold smuggling syndicate involving Rafmoh Gold Ltd and NK Bernak Enterprise, describing it as the most elaborate case of its kind since the Board’s establishment.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in Accra, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said the breakthrough followed a tip-off from a patriotic Ghanaian whistleblower.

Acting on the information, the GoldBod Taskforce arrested one Abdul Razak Seidu on August 27, 2025, at Winneba Junction with 9.2 kilograms of gold valued at about GH₵10.2 million.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Bernard Nkrumah, a Tier 2 licensed gold buyer who operates as NK Bernak Enterprise in Tarkwa, and Ibrahim Aremeyaw, a key associate of Rafmoh Gold Ltd.

According to Mr. Gyamfi, Rafmoh Gold Ltd was identified as the sponsor and mastermind of the syndicate, which had, over the past two months, illegally purchased more than 100 kilograms of gold valued at over GH₵100 million from NK Bernak Enterprise.

All arrested suspects have been arraigned before the High Court and charged with multiple offences, including facilitating gold smuggling, unauthorised gold transportation, and related infractions.

They were remanded into the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for two weeks before being granted bail, though conditions are yet to be satisfied.

Four additional suspects — Rafeeq Mohammed Nandoli (alias Salam), Muhammed Afsah Puthalan, Abdul Karim, and Sadique Abubakar — remain at large. The police and GoldBod Taskforce have secured arrest warrants for them, with a GH₵1 million bounty placed on each.

The public has been urged to report any information on the fugitives to the nearest police station or GoldBod head office, located at the former Bank of Ghana building, High Street, Accra, via toll-free numbers 0800 44 653 or 0800 44 654.

Meanwhile, GoldBod has suspended the license of NK Bernak Enterprise and shut down its Tarkwa offices, as well as closed Rafmoh Jewellery’s outlet at Palace Mall in Accra, citing their direct involvement in the syndicate.

Reaffirming GoldBod’s zero-tolerance stance, CEO Sammy Gyamfi vowed that the Board will “restore integrity to Ghana’s gold trade” and that anyone found engaging in smuggling, hoarding, or other illegal gold-related activities “will be dealt with according to law without fear or favour.”