National Security Council Secretariat Dismantles Four Counterfeit Currency Hubs

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, has dismantled four counterfeit currency production hubs and arrested 16 suspects in an intelligence-led crackdown in parts of the Greater Accra Region.

The operations, conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026, followed months of intelligence gathering into the infiltration of counterfeit currency into commercial centres, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NSCS said the operations followed months of covert intelligence mapping into reports of counterfeit currency notes infiltrating commercial hubs, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.

“Six coordinated raids resulted in the seizure of four counterfeit currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly used to transport and distribute the fake currencies”, the statement read.

According to the NSCS, security operatives recovered US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000 in counterfeit notes that were ready for circulation.

They also seized counterfeit currency coupons valued at US$5,293,500, GH¢19,553,700 and CFA623,550,000, which were yet to be processed and printed.

The Secretariat said the seizure of the finished counterfeit notes and unprocessed currency coupons, together with the printing equipment, had prevented the potential circulation of large quantities of fake currency into the economy.

It said such activities could undermine the country’s financial system through artificial inflation, exchange-rate distortions and financial-sector instability.

The operations were conducted at Amuzu, Adjiringanor, Lashibi, Klagon, Lakeside Estate, Nii Boi Town, Achimota and Amasaman.

At Adjiringanor, seven suspects, including three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals, were arrested, while US$65,900 in counterfeit notes and three unregistered vehicles were seized.

At Lakeside Estate, operatives intercepted five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes with an estimated face value of GH¢12.42 million.

The NSCS said investigations had uncovered a structured network involving transnational facilitators, technical printing operators and commercial courier and dispatch riders.

It also identified the alleged use of some churches and offices of religious organisations as operational bases to conceal printing activities and store counterfeit currency.

The 16 suspects have been remanded into state custody, with case dockets submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice. Prosecution is ongoing at the Accra High Court (General Jurisdiction).

The NSCS further disclosed that state prosecutors had initiated legal processes for the permanent forfeiture of the impounded vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the commission of the offences.

The Secretariat urged the public, financial institutions, property owners, and administrators of religious facilities to remain vigilant and report suspicious printing activities and unusual foreign currency transactions to the nearest security agency.

Judith Twumwaa, ISD