The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced that three out of six foreign nationals arrested for smuggling gold will be deported.

The remaining three will face prosecution under the new gold trading laws.

The decision was disclosed by Prince Minkah, spokesperson for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), during a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, May 14.

A total of six suspects were apprehended in two separate operations.

The first batch of three suspects was arrested in the Ashanti Region before the enforcement of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

These individuals will be deported since their arrest occurred before the April 30 deadline for foreigners to exit Ghana's local gold trade.

"They will be repatriated to their home country to reunite with their families," Minkah stated.

The second batch of three suspects was arrested in Anyinam after the new law took effect.

These individuals will face prosecution under the new law, which reserves local gold trading exclusively for the Gold Board. Authorities confiscated gold counting machines and cash (USD) from them.

Mr Minkah stressed that the Ghana Gold Board Act strictly prohibits foreign nationals from participating in Ghana's local gold trade.

• Read also: GoldBod and National Security bust foreigners attempting to smuggle gold

"If you're a foreigner and caught trading gold illegally, you will face the law," he warned.

While the first group was given leniency because their arrest preceded the deadline, the second group will face the full rigors of the law.

The Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 was introduced to regulate gold trading and curb illegal exports.

Foreigners were given until April 30 to exit the local gold market, with strict penalties for violators.

The three deportees, all Indian nationals, will be sent back to their country. The remaining three will be prosecuted, with their confiscated assets held as evidence.

Authorities have vowed to intensify surveillance to prevent further smuggling attempts.