A high-stakes counterfeiting operation uncovered in Sapeiman, a suburb of Ga West in the Greater Accra Region, has rattled Ghana’s financial system after officials found genuine Bank of Ghana (BoG) cash boxes on-site.
The discovery is raising concerns of insider involvement and pointing to a serious breach in the country’s financial oversight.
The sophisticated ring was exposed in February, hidden behind the façade of a modest battery-charging shop housed in a seemingly deserted building. Authorities believe the operation was fronted by an elderly man known locally as the “Battery Doctor,” who may have knowingly or unknowingly helped shield one of the most elaborate counterfeiting setups Ghana has seen in years.
During a site inspection, Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, confirmed the legitimacy of the BoG-labeled equipment. “Authorities have verified that these boxes are genuine,” Jakpa said, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and its potential impact on national financial security.
Investigators found ten 40-foot containers packed with counterfeit Ghana cedi and US dollar notes, along with fake gold bars and gold-plated metals. Jakpa also revealed that two containers were removed just before security forces arrived—suggesting the criminals were tipped off. “This points to the likelihood of an internal leak,” he implied.
At the center of the investigation is a man known only as “Alhaji,” who National Security operatives say is directly linked to the counterfeit production hub. “Alhaji is a central figure in this syndicate, and efforts are underway to bring him to justice,” Jakpa stated.
The case is now under intense scrutiny, with security agencies ramping up efforts to uncover the full network behind the operation and any collaborators within official institutions.
Source: InsiderGH.com
