The Ghana Gold Board Taskforce has arrested an American citizen, Smart Philander, a Moroccan national, Nina Elfseky, and four Ghanaian accomplices — Nana Yaw Sarpong Boateng, Sowa Elisha, Evans Arhin, and Arnold Otutey — for engaging in illegal gold trading in Ghana without a license.
The arrests took place at the SSNIT Emporium, near Marina Mall in Accra, after weeks of surveillance and intelligence operations by the Taskforce. The suspects were caught attempting to buy and assay about 2.1 kilograms of gold valued at approximately GHS 2.2 million, without the requisite license as mandated under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
According to a press statement from the Board, during the operation, the Taskforce also discovered gold refining equipment in the possession of the American suspect, confirming their intent to refine gold illegally within Ghana’s jurisdiction. “The suspects have since been arraigned before Court in Accra on multiple counts, including Conspiracy to engage in gold trading without a license, Engaging in gold trading and assaying without a license, and Attempting to refine gold illegally, contrary to Sections 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and 26(1) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140)” the statement warned.
According to GoldBod, the arrests underscore it’s unwavering commitment to “enforcing the laws governing the gold trade and marketing industry, and to ensuring that only licensed entities operate within the legal framework”.
The Board in the statement reminded the public — both local and foreign — that any form of gold trading, assaying, or refining without a license from the Ghana Gold Board is illegal and punishable by law.
