Former employees of BCM Ghana Limited have launched a picketing protest at the company’s Labone offices in Accra, demanding payment of redundancy allowances that have been outstanding for more than ten months. The affected workers, who were laid off following operational changes at the mining firm, accuse management, led by Paul List, of failing to honour repeated promises to settle their legally mandated redundancy packages. The delay, they say, has caused severe financial hardship, making it difficult for them to meet basic needs and support their families. Clad in red armbands and wielding placards with messages such as “Pay Us What We Are Owed” and “Ten Months Is Too Long,” the former employees insist that their allowances are not a favour but a right protected by Ghana’s labour laws. The protestors are calling on the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the National Labour Commission to intervene and compel BCM Ghana Limited to fulfil its statutory obligations. As of the time of reporting, BCM Ghana Limited’s management had not issued a public response. The picketers, however, have vowed to continue their demonstration until all outstanding payments are made. BCM Ghana Limited, which operates in the mining sector, has previously conducted workforce restructuring as part of broader operational adjustments. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has called on New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates to disregard accusations that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was responsible for the economic mismanagement under the party’s administration, insisting he remains the best candidate to lead the NPP into the next general elections. Speaking to NPP delegates, Adwoa Safo argued that Dr Bawumia should not be held solely accountable for the party’s economic challenges, emphasizing that his influence on key decisions was limited. She highlighted the significant role played by other top officials, especially former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, in shaping the country’s economic policies. “Was Dr Bawumia the finance minister? Were we not in government when some MPs said, because of the way our economy is being mismanaged, we should change the finance minister, did we? Didn’t he damage everything before he was changed, so how can we blame this on Bawumia?” she questioned. Adwoa Safo further explained that Dr Bawumia did not have the authority to overrule decisions taken at the highest levels of government. “He was only the driver’s mate and could not overrule the driver, even if the driver was not performing well,” she remarked. Her comments come in response to criticism from some flagbearer aspirants in the ongoing NPP presidential primaries, who have blamed Dr Bawumia for the party’s economic record while in government. Dr Bawumia is currently one of five aspirants vying for the NPP flagbearer slot, with the party scheduled to elect its presidential candidate on January 31, 2026. He faces competition from former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Bryan Acheampong, former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

A key prosecution witness in the ongoing Sky Train trial has produced multiple email exchanges contradicting his earlier testimony about the Accra Sky Train project’s consideration by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Board and Investment Committee. Yaw Odame-Darkwa, former GIIF board member and chairman of the Audit Committee, presented the emails during the fourth day of cross-examination at the High Court in Accra. This followed a court order directing him to retrieve, verify, and submit the relevant correspondence. On the previous day, Mr. Odame-Darkwa was permitted to review emails presented by counsel for the first accused, which challenged his claim that the Sky Train project was introduced only once at board level. Upon examination, Mr. Odame-Darkwa confirmed the authenticity of at least 16 emails exchanged between July and September 2018 among board and Investment Committee members. These emails, which included attachments, agendas, and investment memoranda, were admitted into evidence without objection from the prosecution. Several referenced the Accra Sky Train project and were circulated ahead of scheduled Investment Committee meetings, alongside updates on other GIIF projects such as the Safari Hotel, Woodfields Tank Farm, and Mahama Hotel. Among the admitted documents were minutes from the Investment Committee meeting on July 31, 2018, which recorded a presentation on the Sky Train Monorail Project. The minutes noted that members expressed support for the initiative but requested further details before making any recommendations to the GIIF Board. During Monday’s cross-examination, Mr. Odame-Darkwa admitted he could not confirm whether a subsequent Investment Committee meeting scheduled for September 28, 2018, actually took place. He also acknowledged that he had not referred to Investment Committee minutes before giving statements to the National Investigations Bureau in March 2025 or before preparing his court witness statement. Nonetheless, he maintained that the Investment Committee did not formally recommend the Sky Train project to the Board, a position he said was consistent with the committee minutes submitted to the court. The court also admitted into evidence extracts from the 2021 Auditor-General’s report on GIIF and the Fund’s 2019 audited financial statements, which confirmed Odame-Darkwa’s role as chairman of the Audit Committee, bearing the signatures of the former Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer. The trial involves former GIIF Board Chair Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and former CEO Solomon Asamoah, who are facing charges including causing financial loss to the state and dissipation of public funds over a US$2 million payment for the Sky Train project. Prosecutors allege the payment was made without board approval and without any work being done. The case has been adjourned to December 16, when cross-examination is set to continue. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved emergency security funding for five member countries as part of intensified efforts to combat terrorism and growing insecurity in the region. During its 68th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government directed the ECOWAS Commission to allocate $2.85 million each from the Regional Security Fund to Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. The disbursement is contingent upon a review of the approved Plan of Action. The decision follows escalating security threats, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings across West Africa. ECOWAS leaders strongly condemned the recent surge in attacks, notably the abduction of schoolchildren in northern Nigeria, and expressed solidarity with the Nigerian people. The Authority also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the swift actions taken to secure the release of victims and intensify measures against insecurity. Reaffirming their commitment to eradicating terrorism, ECOWAS leaders called on the international community, including the African Union and United Nations Security Council, to respond urgently and coordinate support for countries most affected by terrorism. The Authority further urged ongoing engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to enhance cooperation and address the worsening security situation, particularly in the Sahel. Additionally, ECOWAS instructed the Commission to expedite the operationalisation of the Regional Counterterrorism Brigade by convening urgent meetings of intelligence and defense chiefs to advance the activation of the force. These emergency measures and renewed security initiatives underscore ECOWAS’ determination to safeguard lives, restore stability, and strengthen collective security throughout West Africa. Source: Apexnewsgh.com