By Daily Statesman
Copyright dailystatesman
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has disclosed details of the “most elaborate gold smuggling case” since its establishment, leading to arrests, prosecutions, and the announcement of a nationwide bounty for suspects still at large.
Addressing the press yesterday in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, revealed that the syndicate, involving RAFMOH Gold Ltd and NK Bernak Enterprise, had been under surveillance following a tip-off from a whistleblower.
According to Mr. Gyamfi, the operation began on August 27, 2025, when the GoldBod Task Force intercepted Abdul Razak Seidu at Winneba Junction. He was found in possession of 9.2 kilograms of gold valued at GHS10.2 million. Subsequent investigations traced the smuggling network to Bernard Nkrumah, a Tier 2 licensed gold buyer who operates in Tarkwa under the business name NK Bernak Enterprise, and to Ibrahim Aremeyaw, a key associate of RAFMOH Gold Ltd.
“Further investigations established that RAFMOH Gold Ltd was the sponsor and mastermind of this elaborate gold smuggling syndicate,” Mr. Gyamfi said. “Through their officers and recruited couriers, they illegally purchased more than 100 kilograms of gold valued at over GHS100 million from NK Bernak Enterprise in just two months,” he added.
The three suspects—Razak Seidu, Bernard Nkrumah, and Ibrahim Aremeyaw—were arraigned before the High Court and charged with offenses including facilitating gold smuggling, transporting gold without authorization, and other related crimes. After being remanded in National Intelligence Bureau custody for two weeks, they were granted bail, although their bail conditions are yet to be satisfied.
Meanwhile, four other individuals linked to the syndicate remain on the run. They have been identified as Rafeeq Mohammed Nandoli, also known as Salam; Muhammed Afsah Puthalan; Abdul Karim; and Sadique Abubakar. The Ghana Police Service and GoldBod Task Force have secured arrest warrants for their capture, with a GHS1 million bounty placed on each.
GoldBod has urged the public to volunteer credible information on the whereabouts of the fugitives by reporting to the nearest police station, the GoldBod Head Office at the former Bank of Ghana building on High Street, Accra, or via the toll-free hotlines 0800 44 653 and 0800 44 654.
In response to the findings, the licenses of NK Bernak Enterprise have been suspended, and its Tarkwa offices shut down. Similarly, the GoldBod has ordered the closure of RAFMOH Jewelry’s business outlets at Palace Mall in Accra due to their links to RAFMOH Gold Ltd’s smuggling activities.
Mr. Gyamfi stressed that GoldBod would not hesitate to act decisively against any individual or company found engaging in illegal gold trading, hoarding, or smuggling.
“Our commitment is to restore integrity to Ghana’s gold trade. No person, no matter how influential, will be shielded. The law will deal with offenders without fear or favour,” he noted.
About The Author
