(Sri Lanka Brief/October 28, 2025)
Former Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and former governor of Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah has reportedly fallen victim to an elaborate gold scam in Ghana, losing over US\$2 million (approximately 600 million Sri Lankan rupees) in a fraudulent transaction involving a group of Ghanaian nationals.
M.L.A.M. Hizbullah is a supporter of former présidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena.
According to Ghanaian media reports and official statements, Hizbullah was lured into the deal by a syndicate that promised to deliver a shipment of gold. The scam began in mid-2023, when the group allegedly received the funds from Hizbullah under the pretense of delivering gold. After failing to deliver, the suspects cut off contact—only to reappear in 2025 with a new offer involving 50 kilograms of gold and a forged memorandum of understanding.
Following a formal complaint, Ghana’s National Security Forces arrested 11 suspects on October 16, 2025, in the Weija S.C.C. area. Two pieces of yellow metal suspected to be gold were recovered, pending verification. The suspects—identified as Abdul Rauf Adam, Almamudi Saleh, Yo Atta Antwi, Osman Suleiman, Nyirabah Dwamena, Benscarl Dwamena, Sanfo Mubashir, Salla Mamudi, Ahmed Ishah, Umaru Pafadenam, and Salifu Suleiman—have been charged with conspiracy, fraud, and attempted fraud.
The Accra Circuit Courts granted bail to the accused in late October, requiring each to post 500,000 Ghanaian cedis (approx. US\$33,000) and provide two sureties, one of whom must be a landowner. The case is scheduled for further hearing on November 20, 2025.
Spotlight on Ghana’s Gold Trade
Ghana, historically known as the Gold Coast, is Africa’s leading gold producer, with 3.7 million ounces mined in 2022. Gold exports generated US\$11.6 billion in 2024, nearly matching Sri Lanka’s total export earnings from goods such as tea and garments.
Gold is deeply embedded in Ghana’s economy and society, supporting over a million small-scale miners. In 2025, Ghana passed the Gold Board Act, aimed at regulating the sector and banning unlicensed foreign traders to curb smuggling and fraud.
Despite these reforms, Ghana’s gold trade remains vulnerable to international scams. Fraudsters often pose as legitimate dealers, using forged documents and prepayment schemes to deceive foreign buyers. The American Trade Advisory Services has issued warnings urging extreme caution in gold-related transactions.
Scrutiny Over Hizbullah’s Finances
While the fraud has drawn international attention, questions are now being raised in Sri Lanka about how Hizbullah acquired such a large sum to invest in gold.
Hizbullah, a veteran politician and former Governor of the Eastern Province, submitted his 2025 Declaration of Assets and Liabilities under Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Act. The declaration lists a residence in Colombo but omits details on its value or acquisition. Notably, the section on business interests is marked “NIL,” despite Hizbullah being described as a businessman on the Parliament website.
His declared income includes only parliamentary salaries and allowances, with no mention of business revenue or foreign investments—raising concerns about transparency and potential undeclared assets.
Hizbullah has previously faced allegations of financial misconduct, including a Rs. 67.5 million fraud involving the state-owned Airport and Aviation Services Company, and controversy surrounding the Batticaloa Campus project, which led to calls for his parliamentary seat to be revoked.
Conclusion
The Ghana gold scam has not only exposed the vulnerabilities in international gold trading but also reignited scrutiny over political accountability and financial transparency in Sri Lanka. As investigations continue in both countries, the case underscores the need for stronger oversight in cross-border financial dealings and asset declarations by public officials.