The recent discovery of Bank of Ghana (BoG) cash boxes at the heart of a significant counterfeiting scheme in Sarpeiman, a suburb within the Ga West Municipality, has raised serious concerns about potential lapses in regulatory oversight and the effectiveness of Ghana’s financial security measures.
This situation brings to light a disturbing possibility of potential insiders in what has been described as one of the most complex criminal enterprises revealed in recent history.
During a recent inspection, Richard Jakpa, the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, confirmed that the cash boxes recovered were indeed the genuine property of the BoG.
“Authorities have verified that these boxes are genuine,” he said, raising further questions about how government-owned financial assets ended up in the hands of a clandestine criminal operation.
The scheme, uncovered in February, had been operating under the guise of a small battery-charging shop located in an abandoned building.
The elderly man running the shop, dubbed the “Battery Doctor” in the community, is thought to have facilitated a cover for the actual activities—specifically, the mass production of counterfeit currency and imitation gold bars.
Authorities seized ten 40-foot containers filled with forged Ghanaian cedis, US dollars, and gold-plated metals.
Reports indicate that two additional containers connected to the operation were moved just prior to the security raid.
Investigators are on the trail of a man identified only as “Alhaji”, who is believed to be the mastermind behind this intricate setup.
Jakpa disclosed that there is compelling evidence linking him to the Sapeiman crime scene, suggesting connections to a wider network engaged in financial misdeeds.
“Alhaji is a central figure in this syndicate, and efforts are underway to bring him to justice,” he stated.
