The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has named Ghanaian pastor Rev. Emmanuel Boakye-Danquah as a suspect at large in connection with a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit currency syndicates, following six coordinated operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026.
The operations, carried out with security and intelligence agencies across the Greater Accra Region and surrounding districts, led to the arrest of 16 suspects and the seizure of four counterfeit currency printing machines, six vehicles, two motorcycles, and large quantities of finished counterfeit notes and unprocessed currency coupons.
A June 29 operation targeted an office facility at Lashibi and Klagon, leading to the arrest of five people and the recovery of printing equipment.
Follow-up intelligence led investigators to the headquarters of a religious facility in Klagon, where administrative offices and residential quarters were allegedly being used as a production and storage site for counterfeit currency. One printing machine and two operational vehicles were seized.
The NSCS said intelligence analysis showed some syndicates allegedly exploited churches and administrative premises of religious organisations to conceal their activities, reducing suspicion around printing equipment and providing storage space.
Rev. Emmanuel Boakye-Danquah was named as being at large in connection with this operation.
Millions in Counterfeit Notes Seized
The operations yielded US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA 60,000 in finished counterfeit notes. Security agencies also seized unprocessed coupons intended for further printing, with a reported value of US$5,293,500, GH¢19,553,700 and CFA 623,550,000.
Additionally, US$5,287,900, CFA 623,530,000 and GH¢7,129,000 in counterfeit coupons were seized during the Klagon operation.
How the Operations Unfolded
- June 12 (Amuzu, Kasoa): A residential compound operating under the cover of a traditional spiritual centre was raided. Nana Nyarko Derrick Dapaah was arrested. A printing machine, fake gold bars, five mobile phones and assorted counterfeit notes and coupons were seized.
- Second operation: A transnational criminal cell allegedly transporting high-grade foreign counterfeit currency between commercial centres in unregistered vehicles was targeted. Seven suspects—three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals—were arrested. Three unregistered vehicles and US$65,900 in counterfeit notes were seized.
- July 9: A commercial dispatch rider, Issah Ibrahim, was intercepted near the Lakeside Shell Filling Station allegedly transporting pre-packaged counterfeit currency to buyers. Adamu Haruna was listed as at large. Five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes, with an estimated face value of GH¢12,421,600, were seized, along with two registered motorcycles.
- Another operation: Solomon Acheampong, 54, was arrested at a regional distribution point. Amankwah Bismark was identified as a suspected kingpin who remains at large. A white Toyota Corolla, three mobile phones, GH¢500 in genuine currency and assorted counterfeit coupons were seized.
- July 24 (Achimota Mile 7): A hotel facility was targeted. Osman Iddrisu, 50, described as a key technical operator, was arrested with mobile printing equipment. A search of his residence at Amasaman uncovered a fully equipped secondary printing facility. Two printing machines and quantities of counterfeit notes and coupons were seized.
Suspects Remanded; Prosecution Ongoing
The 16 suspects, together with physical and digital exhibits, have been transferred to the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) for forensic examination and further legal processes.
Case dockets have been completed and submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, while prosecution proceedings are ongoing at the Accra High Court, General Jurisdiction. All 16 arrested suspects have been formally remanded into state custody.
The NSCS said the syndicates operated through structured networks involving alleged transnational facilitators, technical printing operators and commercial couriers who used motorcycles to distribute counterfeit currency.
It said the seizure of millions in finished notes and unprocessed coupons, together with four printing machines capable of producing large volumes, had prevented a potential threat to monetary stability, including artificial inflation, exchange-rate distortions and disruption to the financial sector.
Special intelligence teams remain deployed to locate and arrest other suspects identified during the investigations, including Rev. Boakye-Danquah, Adamu Haruna, and Amankwah Bismark.
State prosecutors have also begun legal processes seeking the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the operations.
The NSCS has urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to exercise greater due diligence over activities conducted on their premises, and called on the public to report suspicious high-volume printing activities and unusual foreign currency transactions to the nearest security agency.