Interior Minister,  Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to clamping down on financial crimes and smuggling in Ghana, following recent operations that led to the seizure of suspected counterfeit U.S. dollars and gold bars.

Responding to a question on the floor of Parliament posed by the Member of Parliament for Suhum, Mr Frank Asiedu Bekoe, the Minister revealed that National Security operatives, after days of surveillance, intercepted containers holding the suspected counterfeit currency and gold bars at Sapeiman.

The operation forms part of a broader effort by the government to safeguard the nation’s economic interests.

Mr. Muntaka disclosed that investigations are ongoing and that Ghanaian authorities are collaborating with the United States Embassy to verify the authenticity of the currency.

Additionally, the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Gold Board are examining the intercepted gold bars to determine their legitimacy.

 He noted that the prime suspect managed to flee before security officers arrived, but efforts are underway to identify and apprehend all those involved.

The Minister, who also has oversight over National Security, assured the public that the government remains resolute in its efforts to prevent and combat financial crimes, which he described as a serious threat to national economic stability.

However, the response did not sit well with Mr Frank Asiedu Bekoe, who expressed disappointment in what he described as an unsatisfactory and delayed handling of the matter by security agencies.

According to him, it is difficult to understand why the authorities have yet to determine the authenticity of the seized items, suggesting that even local black market operators could have verified the currency faster.

The Suhum MP’s critique highlighted a growing concern among some legislators about the responsiveness and efficiency of security institutions in tackling high-stakes economic crimes.