NAIMOS Raises Alarm Over Interference by Chiefs and Politicians in Anti-Galamsey Fight
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has sounded the alarm over persistent interference from powerful individuals, especially chiefs and politicians, that continues to hamper Ghana’s efforts to curb illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Sekondi on Sunday, December 7, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Satekla, Deputy Director of Operations at NAIMOS, expressed the secretariat’s unwavering commitment to tackling galamsey. However, he pointed out that interference from influential figures remains a major obstacle to success. Addressing 14 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from the Western Region and two Regional Police Commanders, Lt. Col. Satekla underscored the need for strict enforcement and collaboration at identified illegal mining hotspots. He emphasized that the effectiveness of operations relies heavily on support from local authorities to uphold designated “no-go” zones. Yet, he revealed that such support is often undermined. “Every institution has challenges, and we are no exception. One of our key challenges is interference from influential people. We encounter this from politicians, chiefs, and other stakeholders in areas where we operate, and it is a big problem that must be addressed. Another critical challenge is logistics,” Lt. Col. Satekla stated. Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson reaffirmed the government’s resolve to end illegal mining and called on all MMDCEs to support President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign to eliminate galamsey, urging unity in the fight for Ghana’s environmental future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Undertakes Strategic Rebalancing of Foreign Reserves, Partially Divests Gold Holdings
The Bank of Ghana has announced a strategic rebalancing of its total foreign reserves, a process that includes a partial divestment of its gold holdings. This initiative is part of the central bank’s broader asset allocation framework, designed to ensure that the composition of Ghana’s reserves aligns with its long-term monetary policy objectives. According to the Bank, the decision to adjust its exposure to gold is aimed at reducing vulnerability to fluctuations in global gold prices. By doing so, the Bank minimizes the need for active hedging within its established risk parameters and enhances the stability of Ghana’s reserve portfolio. The Bank of Ghana emphasized that its approach is rooted in disciplined and prudent risk management, rather than speculation on short-term market movements. While the Bank keeps a close watch on global gold price trends, its strategy is focused on long-term financial resilience and stability. Officials believe that the rebalancing will improve the efficiency of Ghana’s external reserve management, maintaining both market confidence and the integrity of the country’s monetary framework. The move is seen as a proactive yet cautious response to global commodity price uncertainties, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s economic stability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Former NAFCO Boss Challenges Freezing of Properties in High Court
Former Chief Executive of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul-Wahab Hanan, has filed a motion at the High Court seeking to overturn a freezing order placed on four properties linked to him. According to Hanan, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) acted in error and wrongfully included assets in the order that he either acquired before his NAFCO appointment or does not own at all. In his affidavit, Hanan listed the affected properties named in the October 21, 2025 order: a three-bedroom house at Kpalsi, Tamale; an uncompleted storey building at Gumani, Tamale; a 0.27-acre plot at Estate Junction, Tamale; and a 0.29-acre plot at Workers College, Tamale. Hanan insists that EOCO obtained the freezing order ex parte, without giving him the opportunity to be heard, and failed to meet legal requirements under sections 33–35 of the Economic and Organised Crime Act, 2010 (Act 804). He claims that the three-bedroom house at Kpalsi was acquired in 2011 and completed in 2013, well before he joined NAFCO, and even served as a venue for his Islamic marriage ceremony, making it unrelated to any alleged wrongdoing. He further argues that EOCO wrongly attributed ownership of two properties to him: the uncompleted building at Gumani and the 0.27-acre plot at Estate Junction, which he says belongs to Al-Qarni Enterprise and was transferred to OSGAF Furniture Enterprise in 2022, prior to EOCO’s investigations. Hanan also alleges procedural violations, stating that after his arrest on June 25, 2025, EOCO detained him for two weeks and searched his homes in Accra and Tamale without a warrant, violating his right to privacy. He says he was only informed of the freezing order on November 26, 2025, when he reported to EOCO as part of his bail conditions, despite the law requiring prompt notice. Maintaining his innocence, Hanan contends that EOCO has not demonstrated that the properties are tainted or linked to criminal proceeds. He argues that the freezing order infringes his constitutional rights to property, privacy, fair hearing, and the presumption of innocence. The High Court is set to hear Hanan’s motion to review the freezing order on December 18, 2025. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NDC Calls Kufuor’s Remarks Rare Admission of NPP Governance Failures
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reacted to recent comments by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, describing them as a rare but significant admission of governance failures under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. In a statement signed by Deputy National Communication Officer, Godwin Ako Gunn, the NDC asserted that Kufuor’s candid reflections validate the party’s longstanding criticisms. According to the NDC, Kufuor’s remarks confirm that the Akufo-Addo administration was plagued by arrogance, poor judgment, and reckless management of national affairs. The statement noted that President Kufuor admitted the NPP leveraged the legacy of his administration to win the 2016 elections, only to later abandon prudent policies. This, the NDC said, led to decisions that worsened the lives of ordinary Ghanaians. The NDC further highlighted Kufuor’s claim that he was sidelined from key national decisions, including the controversial National Cathedral project, the Domestic Debt Exchange programme, and scandals such as the Power Distribution Services (PDS) case. “These admissions confirm what the NDC consistently highlighted during the period of governance: that the NPP was driven by arrogance, unilateralism, and disregard for collective wisdom,” the statement read. However, the NDC questioned the timing of Kufuor’s statements, suggesting that his silence during the peak of alleged mismanagement contributed to the hardships experienced by Ghanaians. “His recent comments, though welcome, come only after the NPP has suffered electoral defeat and internal disunity. This raises legitimate questions about why he chose not to speak when Ghanaians most needed his voice,” the party stated. Reiterating its core philosophy, the NDC emphasized that governance should prioritize Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Kidnapped victim in Northern Region rescued by the Police, three suspects arrested
Police in the Northern Region have successfully rescued a kidnapping victim following a coordinated intelligence-led operation in Wapuli, within the Yendi Division. It all began on the morning of December 2, 2025, when the Tamale Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (RPID) received a distressing report. The family of a kidnapping victim had been contacted by unknown assailants, who demanded a ransom of GHS100,000 for their loved one’s release. Reacting swiftly, Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, assembled a five-member intelligence team. This group set out on a determined mission to track down the suspects and rescue the victim. After days of diligent investigation and pursuit, their efforts bore fruit on December 5, when the victim was successfully rescued. However, the operation was not without danger. In the early hours of December 6, the suspects, realizing the police were closing in, engaged officers in a dramatic shootout. Under the cover of gunfire, they managed to escape, leaving behind a motorbike with registration number M 25 NR and a Samsung mobile phone. The chase continued into the morning. By 8:00 a.m., the police team had traced the suspects to the community of Bokpaba. There, they apprehended three men: Haruna Seidu, Amidu Bandi, and Osman Bandi. The officers also seized two motorbikes and recovered GHS70,000, believed to be part of the ransom money. Despite the breakthrough, the case remains partially unresolved. One suspect is still at large, and police have assured the public that efforts to apprehend him are ongoing. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Prof. Joshua Alabi Challenges GTEC’s ‘Fake’ Label on SMC Doctorates
At a recent ceremony where Prof. Joshua Alabi, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), was honored with an honorary degree for his transformational leadership, he took a moment to challenge the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) recent declaration regarding doctorate degrees from the Swiss Management Centre (SMC). Prof. Alabi questioned GTEC’s blanket branding of SMC-awarded doctorates as “fake,” arguing that such a sweeping pronouncement overlooks the historical and regulatory context in which many Ghanaians obtained these qualifications. He recalled that, at the time, numerous professionals—including UPSA lecturers, enrolled in SMC’s doctoral programmes based on assurances from the then National Accreditation Board (NAB), now GTEC, which gave recognition and registration to SMC in Ghana. “Many of these professionals undertook their studies based on the assurances and information available from our national regulator,” Prof. Alabi stated during his acceptance speech. He described it as both unfair and damaging to brand the qualifications of hardworking Ghanaians as “fake” when they acted in good faith, relying on documentation from state authorities. Prof. Alabi highlighted that these SMC graduates are not just ordinary professionals, but also respected academics and leaders—former Vice-Chancellors, advisors to governors, Deans, Heads of Departments, and lecturers. He also revealed that UPSA had carried out rigorous due diligence before allowing its lecturers to pursue doctoral studies at SMC. The university’s verification process included: Confirmation from the then NAB (now GTEC) Additional validation through the Swiss Embassy in Ghana Direct institutional verification in Switzerland “These steps were taken meticulously to ensure that the institution met the necessary standards before any UPSA lecturer was allowed to enrol,” he emphasized. Prof. Alabi concluded by urging GTEC to communicate regulatory decisions with clarity, fairness, and sensitivity, especially when such statements can have serious implications for the careers and reputations of Ghanaian professionals and academics. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Kufuor Warns Politicians: NPP’s 2024 Defeat a Wake-Up Call Against Mismanagement
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has sent a strong message to Ghanaian politicians, urging them to treat the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 elections as a clear warning: the electorate will not tolerate mismanagement. Appearing on The Delay Show, Mr. Kufuor candidly dissected the reasons behind the party’s loss. He attributed the defeat to several controversial decisions under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, including the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), the National Cathedral project, and the failed Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal. “The Ghanaian electorate cannot be taken for granted. Politicians must learn from this,” he stressed, emphasizing that the election results reflected widespread public dissatisfaction with these key decisions. Reflecting on the party’s journey, Mr. Kufuor recalled that the NPP’s landslide victory in 2016 was built on the back of his administration’s achievements. “Before 2016, the campaign was anchored on my achievements. The government started well, but things changed after he took office,” he observed, noting a shift in governance priorities after President Akufo-Addo assumed office. The former President highlighted how post-COVID-19 decisions, particularly those affecting the bond market, the handling of the PDS deal, and the National Cathedral project, became flashpoints for public anger. He revealed that he was never consulted about the Cathedral and only learned of the project after construction was underway. He further criticized the demolition of state properties, including housing for judges, to make way for a project that remains incomplete. Mr. Kufuor traced the NPP’s recent electoral trajectory: an overwhelming victory in 2016, a razor-thin and contentious result in 2020 that led to a hung Parliament, and the emphatic defeat in 2024. “We won massively in 2016. The 2020 elections were tight and gave us a hung Parliament, and 2024 was something else altogether,” he stated. Concluding his reflections, Mr. Kufuor delivered a caution to all politicians: to retain the trust of Ghanaians, leaders must govern with transparency, discipline, and a keen sensitivity to the expectations of the people. Source: Apexnewsgh.com