IGP Opens Regional Crime Officers’ Conference to Bolster Police Investigative Capacity
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohonu has inaugurated a two-day Regional Crime Officers’ Conference, aimed at enhancing the investigative capabilities of the Ghana Police Service in the face of increasingly sophisticated crime trends. The conference, which began on Thursday, December 18, 2025, brings together Crime Officers from all 25 police regions, key Directors from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, and members of the Police Management Board (POMAB). In his opening remarks, the IGP underscored the pivotal role of Crime Officers in modern policing, emphasizing that robust and effective investigations are vital in tackling contemporary crime and sustaining public trust in the Police Service. He stressed that new and emerging crime patterns require advanced investigative skills, unwavering professionalism, and ongoing capacity development. Mr Yohonu reiterated his commitment to raising investigative standards throughout the Service, describing capacity building as crucial to outpacing criminal networks and boosting law enforcement effectiveness across Ghana. Welcoming participants, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the CID, called on officers to engage actively in the conference’s discussions. She highlighted that the success of criminal prosecutions relies heavily on the thoroughness and quality of investigations led by Crime Officers. The conference is expected to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, professional growth, and strategic dialogue, all aimed at improving investigative standards and practices nationwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Eight Charged in SML-GRA Contracts Scandal, Including Former Finance Minister
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed 78 charges against eight individuals, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, in connection with controversial revenue assurance contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML). Among those facing prosecution are former GRA Commissioner-Generals Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, along with senior GRA officials Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoa. Also charged are Ernest Akore, a retired Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, SML’s owner, Evans Adusei, and the company itself, SML. The charges follow months of investigations by the OSP, which uncovered alleged corruption, abuse of office, and procurement breaches in the negotiation and execution of the SML-GRA contracts. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that evidence gathered by his office “points to criminal conduct” by some officials during the awarding and implementation of the contracts. The 78 charges include conspiracy to commit the criminal offence of directly or indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Attorney General Confirms Extradition Request for Ken Ofori-Atta and Accomplice Sent to US
The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced that his office has formally transmitted an extradition request to the United States for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his alleged accomplice, Ernest Akore. Dr Ayine announced the government’s Accountability Series on Thursday, December 18, 2025. He revealed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) initiated the process on November 19, 2025, by submitting a request to commence extradition proceedings against the two individuals, who are now subjects of an ongoing probe into alleged financial loss in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) case. A preliminary review by the Attorney General’s International Cooperation Unit had identified some documentation gaps, prompting the office to request further information from the OSP in a letter dated November 25. The OSP responded on December 9, 2025, providing the necessary supplementary documents, thus completing the extradition request package. Dr Ayine explained that the full request was then transmitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 10, 2025, for onward submission to the appropriate US authorities, specifically the Department of Justice. The Attorney General emphasised that the outcome now depends on the American judicial authorities. “At this point, it is left to the authorities of the United States, particularly the judicial authorities, to determine whether there is sufficient basis for the two accused persons to be extradited to Ghana to stand trial,” he stated. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Revokes Law Permitting Mining in Forest Reserves Amid Galamsey Concerns
The government has officially revoked Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which previously granted the President authority to approve mining in the nation’s forest reserves. The revocation follows the maturation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, which became law on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, after being laid before Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. This decisive move forms part of the government’s renewed efforts to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which has wreaked havoc on the country’s environment and forest resources. L.I. 2462 had long faced fierce criticism from environmental activists and the general public, who argued that it enabled industrial mining in protected forest areas, undermining conservation efforts and fueling the destructive effects of galamsey. Environmental and civil society groups have welcomed the revocation, viewing it as a significant step toward restoring and safeguarding Ghana’s forest reserves. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Youth Unemployment a National Security Threat, Warns Minister Opare Addo
The Minister for Youth Development and Employment, George Opare Addo, has sounded the alarm over rising youth unemployment in Ghana, warning that the issue poses a serious threat to national security and calling for urgent collective action. Responding to the issue, December 18, Opare Addo described the situation as alarming and stressed that it should be a major concern for all Ghanaians. “The number of unemployed people is a scary situation. It is a big national security threat, and all of us must be worried about the rising trend of youth unemployment,” he said, adding that the government is taking decisive steps to address the challenge. His remarks come on the heels of new data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), which revealed that more than 1.3 million young Ghanaians were out of work, school, or training in the third quarter of 2025. The GSS reported that 1.3 million people aged 15 to 24, representing 21.5% of that age group, were classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET), further highlighting concerns over persistent labour market pressures and widening skills gaps. The Minister assured the public that the government is intensifying efforts to combat youth unemployment, with targeted measures aimed at re-engaging young people in productive economic activities as part of a broader strategy to safeguard national stability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Faces Soaring Youth Disengagement as 1.3 Million NEETs Reported
More than 1.3 million young Ghanaians were out of work, school, or training in the third quarter of 2025, according to new data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The figures highlight persistent labour market pressures and a widening skills gap among the nation’s youth. The data show that 1.3 million people aged 15 to 24, representing 21.5 per cent of the age group—were classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET), fueling growing concerns about youth disengagement from productive economic activity. Sharp regional disparities emerged, with NEET rates among 15- to 35-year-olds ranging from 25.3 per cent in the Central Region to just 9.5 per cent in the Oti Region. This points to uneven access to jobs, education, and training opportunities across the country. Labour underutilisation also remains high, with about one in five employed persons considered underutilised. The composite labour underutilisation rate stood at 23.0 per cent in the second quarter and edged up slightly to 23.4 per cent in the third quarter, with little difference across gender or locality. Underemployment was more pronounced in rural areas, averaging 15.3 per cent in the second quarter and 14.9 per cent in the third, compared to 9.5 per cent and 9.7 per cent, respectively, in urban centres. The GSS data point to persistent skills and education mismatches in the labour market. In the third quarter, 65.8 per cent of employed persons said their skills matched job requirements, but over 10 per cent felt over-skilled—especially men and urban workers. Another 3.3 per cent reported having skills below job requirements, a trend highest among men and rural workers. Education mismatch followed a similar pattern, with 58.4 per cent of workers stating their education level matched their jobs. However, 8.2 per cent felt overqualified and 15.7 per cent underqualified, with under-qualification most prevalent in rural areas. Youth unemployment rates remained well above the national average. In the second and third quarters, unemployment averaged 32.5 per cent among those aged 15 to 24 and 21.9 per cent among people aged 15 to 35. Greater Accra recorded the highest youth unemployment rates in the third quarter, while Bono East posted the lowest, underscoring the concentration of youth joblessness in urban hubs. The GSS stressed that these findings underscore the urgent need for targeted skills development, job creation, and regional interventions to help absorb Ghana’s growing youth population into productive employment. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Made-in-Ghana Elegance: GoldBod Jewellery Introduces Holiday Collection
GoldBod Jewellery has ushered in the holiday spirit with the launch of its Christmas and New Year collections, dazzling customers with a stunning array of locally crafted gold pieces tailored for the festive season. The new catalogue boasts an elegant selection of chokers, necklaces, earrings, matching bangles, and rings, granting customers the perfect opportunity to celebrate the holidays with authentic, made-in-Ghana jewellery for themselves and their loved ones. A subsidiary of the Ghana Gold Board, GoldBod Jewellery has established itself as a key player in Ghana’s drive to add value to its gold resources. Originally incorporated in 2016, the jewellery arm recently underwent a strategic restructuring and rebranding, enhancing its capacity to deliver high-quality, locally manufactured ornaments. This rebranding initiative is part of a broader effort to boost the patronage of Ghanaian-made jewellery, reduce dependence on imports, and fortify the country’s local manufacturing base within the gold industry. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Larabanga NDC Supporters Petition President Mahama Over Years of Neglect
Concerned members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Larabanga electoral area of the Damongo Constituency, Savannah Region, have voiced deep disappointment over what they describe as years of neglect and marginalisation by the party, despite their unwavering loyalty. On December 10, 2025, the group submitted a strongly worded petition to President John Dramani Mahama through the Savannah Regional Minister. In the petition, they lamented that Larabanga, a longstanding NDC stronghold, has been consistently overlooked for appointments and opportunities. The petitioners highlighted Larabanga’s vital role in defending and sustaining the NDC in the Damongo Constituency, even under challenging circumstances. Elders, youth, and families in the community, they said, have made significant sacrifices to secure electoral victories for the party, yet those efforts have gone unrewarded. “Larabanga has been the NDC’s shield,” the petition stated, noting that continued exclusion from appointments has created “deep emotional wounds” and growing disillusionment among party supporters. Emphasising that Larabanga is not a peripheral community but a cultural and spiritual pillar of the constituency, the group argued that justice and equity demand fair representation for all loyal communities, including theirs. The petitioners also pointed to the spiritual support Larabanga has provided the NDC, with local imams regularly praying for the success of President Mahama and the party. They described it as emotionally devastating that a community offering such support remains sidelined when opportunities arise. Raising political concerns, the group warned that the neglect had allowed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to gain ground in Larabanga and cautioned that, without urgent action, the NDC could lose its stronghold status in the area. They contrasted the current situation with the period when the NPP was in power, noting that Larabanga then produced a Municipal Chief Executive, a Regional Minister, and representatives on the Hajj Board—appointments not matched under the NDC government. The petition also highlighted the presence of many qualified professionals in Larabanga who remain loyal to the NDC but have not been considered for appointments. Special mention was made of the Kamara family, historically linked to the first imams of the Gonja Kingdom, whose members have served actively at the grassroots level. Party activists who led campaigns and mobilised support for the NDC now feel embarrassed to return home without evidence of inclusion or reward, the petitioners added. They argued that just a few appointments could revive the entire community and help guide local youth seeking opportunities in government institutions. The group appealed to President Mahama to appoint qualified sons and daughters of Larabanga to national and regional positions and restore the community’s standing in the party. They also called on regional and constituency leadership not to sideline Larabanga after the elections. The petition, signed by Ibrahim Abu-Nawas, Secretary and Spokesperson for the group, was copied to key party officials and local authorities. The petitioners concluded by reaffirming their spiritual and political support for President Mahama and the NDC, while pleading for fairness, inclusion, and recognition to heal the community’s longstanding wounds. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Interior Minister Imposes Curfew on Nalerigu, Bans Weapons and Movement to Restore Peace
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak (MP), acting on the advice of the National Security Council and by Executive Instrument, has imposed a curfew on Nalerigu township and its surrounding areas in the North East Region. The curfew, effective Thursday, December 18, 2025, restricts movement from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am daily. A statement from the ministry called on chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and residents to exercise restraint and resolve their challenges peacefully. The ministry further encouraged all parties to adopt non-violent means in their efforts to maintain harmony in the area. To ensure security, the ministry announced a total ban on carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons in Nalerigu and its environs. Anyone found with such items will be arrested and prosecuted. Additional measures announced by the government include: No movement of motorbikes No wearing of smocks No selling of fuel in containers Ban on unlawful assemblies These steps form part of the government’s efforts to restore calm and protect lives and property in Nalerigu and its neighboring communities. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
IGP Deploys Reinforcement Teams and Armoured Vehicles to Nalerigu Amid Unrest
Tension gripped the town of Nalerigu in the North East Region after some youth set two houses ablaze and issued threats to burn more properties and harm residents. In response to the escalating situation, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian T. Yohuno, ordered the deployment of reinforcement teams and armoured vehicles to Nalerigu and surrounding communities. According to a police statement, the deployment aims to restore calm, protect lives and property, and bolster security in the affected areas. The police will also enforce a government-imposed curfew designed to curb further violence and maintain order. Additionally, the reinforcement teams will support the North East Regional Police Command in intensifying highway patrols to safeguard commuters in the region. Police authorities have assured the public, especially the people of Nalerigu, that investigations into the recent attacks and house burnings are underway. They pledged that all those found responsible will be apprehended and brought to justice. Meanwhile, the government has imposed a curfew on Nalerigu and its environs to help restore peace and prevent further disturbances. Source: Apexnewsgh.com