The Member of Parliament for Suhum has expressed his disappointment in the answers provided by the Minister of Interior regarding the interception of an alleged massive haul of counterfeit US Dollars, Ghanaian Cedi notes, and suspended gold bars hidden in 20-foot containers at a warehouse in Sapeiman on 9th March, 2025.
According to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, the answers as provided by the Minister of Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, were unsatisfactory and that “he must come again”.
In responding to a question on “the state of the interception of an alleged massive haul of counterfeit US Dollars, Ghanaian Cedi notes, and suspended gold bars hidden in 20-foot containers at a warehouse in Sapeiman on 9th March, 2025” on the floor of parliament, the sector Minister said, the National Security is also collaborating with the US Embassy to confirm the authenticity of the suspected counterfeit currencies. At the same time, “there is a collaboration with the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Gold Board to confirm the authenticity of the intercepted gold bars and Ghana cedis”.
According to the Minister, in March 2025, security operatives, acting on intelligence reports, successfully intercepted suspected counterfeit US dollars and fraudulent gold bars stored in a shipping container located in the Sapeiman area.
And, “following established security protocols, the exhibits were securely protected. Later, in the interest of accountability, the media — an important partner in this effort-was invited to cover the story for reporting purposes”.
He said, the operation was initiated following days of monitoring and tracking the modus operandi of the suspects. However, on the day the swoop was conducted, the prime suspects had escaped before the security personnel! arrived at the scene.
Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak further stated that, “an investigation is ongoing to identify the suspects and their agents, and the extent of their operations”.
But the MP who asked the question rejected the answers, questioning why it has taken the state such a long time to investigate these serious issues of national interest.
In an interview with fmnewsonline.com said, “These gold bars and co were seized in March, and I don’t know why from March to July, the Ministry has not done the needful by ensuring these substances are tested by the GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana. Because it does take time for the BoG to authenticate dollars”.
And why should we wait for the American Embassy? Ghana should conduct its investigation and give the report out, he said.
