The Ghana Gold Board has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing anti-smuggling laws without exception, warning that all offenders, foreign or local, will face the full consequences under the law.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, May 14, the Gold Board Media Relations Officer, Prince Kwame Minkah, stated that the Board will not show leniency to anyone caught violating gold export regulations.

"GoldBod had earlier issued a warning and we are continuing to issue that warning and also re-emphasised the point that we are not going to treat anyone with kid gloves. Not this time, not ever," he said.

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

The first group of three suspects, arrested in the Ashanti Region before the April 30 deadline for foreign nationals to exit Ghana’s local gold trade, will be deported.

Mr Minkah clarified that these individuals are being repatriated because their arrest occurred prior to the full enforcement of Act 1140.

“They will be repatriated to their home country to reunite with their families,” he said.

He noted that the second group, arrested in Anyinam after the law took effect, will be prosecuted under the new legislation.

"For the second batch of arrests, which we announced today, they will go down and walk the mile," Mr Minkah said.

"They will be arraigned before the court, and if judgement is passed and they are guilty, just as any Ghanaian will suffer for flouting the law, they will also suffer same."

Authorities reportedly confiscated gold-counting machines and an undisclosed amount of U.S. dollars during the operation.

Referencing the legal framework, Mr Minkah pointed out that the Act explicitly applies to “a person,” not distinguishing between Ghanaian citizens and foreign nationals.

“Once you are caught, it does not matter whether you are a foreigner or a Ghanaian,” he said.