The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has handed over 17 gold bars, valued at $1.7 million, to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of the Interior in Accra.

The gold bars were seized by officers from NACOC’s Upper East Regional Command at the Paga Border Post from two Burkinabe nationals who were attempting to smuggle the consignment out of the country. 

The individuals have since been charged with offences relating to the transportation and illegal dealing in gold.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, assured GoldBod of the Ministry’s continued support for the effective management and protection of Ghana’s gold resources.

The Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, expressed appreciation to the Director-General of NACOC for the swift and secure handover. 

He also called for strengthened collaboration between security agencies to bolster efforts to safeguard the country’s mineral wealth.

The handing-over ceremony was witnessed by Mrs Doreen Annan, Chief Director at the Ministry of the Interior, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of NACOC, and other senior officials from both NACOC and GoldBod.