Operations at the National Assay Centre at the Aviance Cargo Terminal were disrupted Tuesday evening after a mob, led by Mr. Joseph Yammin, National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), allegedly attempted to seize bullion bars being processed by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) for the Bank of Ghana.
The incident occurred between 4 p.m. and midnight on December 17, 2024, during routine assay procedures for the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP), which began in June 2021. The program involves the assessment of bullion bars to confirm their weight, purity, and value.
Mr. Yammin and his group reportedly claimed the bullion bars were being smuggled out of the country by political actors—a claim described as false by PMMC. The confrontation led to hours of tension, requiring police intervention to restore order.
After negotiations, the bullion bars were moved to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command for safekeeping, along with gold from a licensed private exporter also affected by the disruption.
PMMC has strongly condemned the incident, warning that such actions jeopardize Ghana’s reputation in the international gold market and undermine confidence in the country’s gold trade.
“This unlawful action is deeply regrettable and has the potential to cause significant harm to Ghana’s standing as a trusted player in the global bullion market,” a statement from the company read.
The disruption also placed workers at significant risk, according to PMMC, creating a hostile environment for staff carrying out lawful duties under strict regulatory standards.
The company emphasized that a simple verification process with the relevant authorities would have clarified the legitimacy of the operations and avoided the standoff.
PMMC reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
The company pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to protect the integrity of Ghana’s gold trade while promoting responsible practices in the precious minerals industry.
