The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Richard Nunekpeku, has reaffirmed that the agency will not bow to political pressure to release individuals arrested for illegal gold trading.
His assurance follows intensified efforts to clamp down on gold smuggling and illicit trading, after the recent arrest of 25 suspects in Accra.
“At GoldBod, if you break the law, we don’t consider political affiliation or take instructions from anyone,” Mr. Nunekpeku stated. “We will not succumb to any pressure. Our operations are guided strictly by the law — we respect the rights of suspects, ensure fair representation, and allow them legal counsel of their choice in court.”
He stressed that the agency will not release or interfere in any case “because a call has come from anywhere,” highlighting GoldBod’s commitment to impartiality and due process.
Mr. Nunekpeku also expressed satisfaction that, since the agency’s establishment, it has not received any interference or influence from external sources — a sign, he said, of growing respect for its independence.
“So far, that message has been well received, and we have not been getting such calls,” he noted.
He further emphasized that GoldBod will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the effective prosecution of offenders and maintain integrity within Ghana’s gold sector.
