BoG cash boxes found at Sarpeiman by National Security

A shocking discovery at a covert counterfeiting site in Sarpeiman, located in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, has ignited serious concerns about the integrity of Ghana’s financial regulatory systems. 

At the heart of the investigation are official Bank of Ghana (BoG) cash boxes found at the crime scene, suggesting a disturbing lapse in oversight or possible insider collusion.

The operation—considered one of the most sophisticated in recent memory—was uncovered in February, operating under the guise of a simple battery-charging shop nestled in an abandoned building. An elderly man managed the seemingly innocent facade, affectionately called the “Battery Doctor” by locals. However, behind the scenes, the location served as a hub for producing counterfeit currency and imitation gold bars.

During a visit to the scene, Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, confirmed that the cash boxes retrieved were indeed genuine BoG property.

Authorities confiscated ten 40-foot containers loaded with fake Ghana cedis, U.S. dollar bills, and gold-plated metals. Two additional containers believed to be tied to the operation were allegedly removed just before security forces arrived.

Investigations have led security personnel to a suspect known only as “Alhaji,” who is believed to be the ringleader of the operation. Evidence collected at the site reportedly links him to the Sarpeiman location and potentially to a wider criminal network focused on financial fraud.

The revelations have prompted public outcry and demands for a deeper investigation into how official financial instruments could be compromised, potentially pointing to vulnerabilities within Ghana’s financial enforcement structures.