NSCS dismantles four counterfeit currency printing hubs, arrests 16
The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), in collaboration with security and intelligence agencies, has dismantled four major counterfeit currency printing centres and arrested 16 suspects in a nationwide operation targeting criminal networks.
The operations, carried out between June 12 and July 24, 2026, focused on groups allegedly involved in the large-scale production, possession and distribution of fake Ghanaian and foreign currencies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, the NSCS disclosed that six coordinated raids were conducted across the Greater Accra Region and neighbouring districts following months of covert intelligence gathering.
The raids led to the seizure of printing equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, finished counterfeit banknotes and unprocessed currency coupons allegedly intended for further production.
According to the Secretariat, the items recovered included four counterfeit currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles believed to have been used to transport and distribute the fake money.
Security personnel also confiscated the following:
- Finished counterfeit notes: US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA 60,000.
- Unprocessed currency coupons: US$5,293,500, GH¢19,553,700 and CFA 623,550,000, allegedly prepared for further printing.
The 16 suspects arrested during the operations, alongside physical and digital evidence, have been handed over to the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) for forensic analysis and further legal action.
The NSCS said investigation dockets had been completed and forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice. Prosecution proceedings are ongoing at the Accra High Court, General Jurisdiction.
Details of the operations
The first raid was conducted on June 12 at Amuzu, a suburb of Kasoa, where operatives targeted a residential compound allegedly operating under the guise of a traditional spiritual centre.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Nana Nyarko Derrick Dapaah. Security personnel also seized a printing machine, fake gold bars, five mobile phones and assorted counterfeit notes and coupons.
In a separate operation, security agencies targeted what the NSCS described as a transnational criminal network allegedly transporting high-quality counterfeit foreign currency between commercial centres using unregistered vehicles.
Seven suspects, comprising three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals, were arrested. Three unregistered vehicles and US$65,900 in counterfeit notes were also recovered.
On June 29, operatives raided office premises at Lashibi and Klagon, leading to the arrest of five people and the recovery of printing equipment.
The NSCS said subsequent intelligence gathering directed investigators to the headquarters of a religious facility in Klagon, where administrative offices and residential quarters were allegedly being used to produce and store counterfeit currency.
One printing machine and two operational vehicles were seized during the operation.
Investigators also recovered counterfeit coupons valued at US$5,287,900, CFA 623,530,000 and GH¢7,129,000.
The Secretariat identified Rev. Emmanuel Boakye-Danquah as a suspect who remains at large in connection with the operation.
On July 9, security operatives intercepted a commercial dispatch rider near the Lakeside Shell Filling Station who was allegedly transporting packaged counterfeit currency to buyers.
Issah Ibrahim was arrested, while Adamu Haruna was identified as another suspect who remains at large.
Five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes, with an estimated face value of GH¢12,421,600, were seized alongside two registered motorcycles.
In another operation, Solomon Acheampong, 54, was arrested at a location described by the NSCS as a regional distribution centre.
Amankwah Bismark was named as a suspected kingpin who is still being sought by authorities.
A white Toyota Corolla, three mobile phones, GH¢500 in genuine currency and assorted counterfeit coupons were also confiscated.
The final operation took place on July 24 at a hotel facility in Achimota Mile 7, where operatives arrested Osman Iddrisu, 50, whom the NSCS described as a key technical operator.
The agency said he was found in possession of mobile printing equipment. A subsequent search of his residence at Amasaman uncovered what investigators described as a fully equipped secondary printing facility.
Two printing machines, together with quantities of counterfeit notes and coupons, were seized.
Religious premises allegedly used as cover
The NSCS said intelligence analysis of the dismantled networks showed that some of the syndicates allegedly used churches and administrative facilities belonging to religious organisations to conceal their activities.
According to the Secretariat, the use of such premises helped reduce suspicion surrounding the presence of printing equipment and provided locations for storing materials.
It added that the criminal networks allegedly operated through organised structures involving transnational facilitators, technical printing specialists and commercial couriers who used motorcycles to distribute counterfeit currency.
The agency said the seizure of millions of finished counterfeit notes and unprocessed coupons, as well as four printing machines capable of producing large volumes of fake money, had prevented what it described as a potential threat to monetary stability.
It warned that the widespread circulation of counterfeit currency could fuel artificial inflation, distort exchange rates and disrupt the financial sector.
Prosecution and public advisory
The NSCS disclosed that all 16 suspects had been formally remanded into state custody, while specialised intelligence teams remained deployed to track down and arrest other individuals identified during the investigations.
State prosecutors have also initiated legal proceedings to seek the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the criminal activities.
The Secretariat has urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to strengthen due diligence and closely monitor activities taking place on their premises.
It further encouraged the public to report suspicious large-scale printing activities, particularly those occurring at unusual hours, as well as unusual foreign currency transactions, to the nearest security agency.
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