The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr Simon Madjie, has unveiled the government’s economic priorities for 2026, calling on investors and private sector players to position themselves for emerging opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, and value-chain expansion. Addressing a Colombian business delegation in Accra during the state visit of Colombia’s Vice President, H.E. Francia Márquez, Mr Madjie highlighted that recent macroeconomic stability has set the stage for a focused growth agenda aimed at tackling structural challenges in the economy. He revealed that infrastructure development will take center stage, with the government planning to invest nearly US$3 billion in rehabilitating and constructing highways and road networks nationwide. This, he said, will create vast opportunities for construction and engineering firms and related industries, while improving connectivity to support economic activity. Mr Madjie also spotlighted the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development (24H+) policy as a key pillar of the government’s growth strategy, describing it as an accelerated development initiative designed to bolster domestic production and competitiveness, making Ghana’s economy more self-sufficient. He noted that the country spends about US$3 billion annually on food imports, and government interventions are focused on strengthening the entire agricultural value chain—from production to processing, storage, and distribution. Improved linkages between farms and processing centers, he explained, will reduce post-harvest losses, boost value addition, and create sustainable jobs. As part of the 24-hour economy agenda, Mr Madjie cited the Volta Economic Corridor programme, which aims to develop approximately two million hectares of land for year-round agriculture, leveraging Volta River water resources for irrigation and plantation farming. The initiative also includes plans to develop 200,000 hectares of new cocoa farmland to increase output and export earnings. He encouraged both local and international investors to partner with the government and seize opportunities arising from the infrastructure push and the 24-hour economy programme. The Colombian delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Commerce Mr Tito Rufino Yepes, reaffirmed Colombia’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana. Mr Yepes outlined the Colombia Strategy for Africa, a framework to expand diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement across the continent, emphasizing South–South cooperation and shared historical ties, particularly with Afro-descendant communities. He also noted Colombia’s intent to leverage its development and peacebuilding experience to deepen trade and strategic partnerships with Ghana and other African nations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team has ramped up security operations across the Tamale Metropolis, leading to the arrest of several suspected drug peddlers and the seizure of significant quantities of illicit substances. The intensified efforts are part of a broader crackdown on drug peddling, robbery, attacks on commercial vendors, rape, and other serious crimes that threaten national security, concerns that are heightened during the busy festive season. A force of 105 police personnel, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bawah Abdul Jalil and supported by 10 service vehicles—including an armoured vehicle and a Black Maria, was deployed for the operation. Officers were briefed to maintain professionalism, teamwork, and vigilance throughout the exercise. The team conducted highway and community patrols, strategically deploying officers to crime hotspots to deter criminal activity and ensure public safety. Intelligence-led officers to the residence of Gladys Lariba at Taha, where a search uncovered toffees and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. Lariba and Joseph Christian, found at the scene with a wrap of the substance, were arrested. At Gumbihini, suspects Musah Stephen and Fatau Issahaku were apprehended for possessing Tramadol capsules. Further investigation led officers to a supplier known as Hidir, whose premises yielded a BB cartridge and more dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp; however, Hidir evaded arrest and remains at large. In a separate operation, a tip from the Gulkpegu Chief Task Force resulted in the arrest of Amina Isahaku and her husband, Muhammed Sumaila, at Vitting. The couple was found with boxes of Tramadol capsules and identified Hikima Yahaya as their supplier. A subsequent search at Yahaya’s residence uncovered more drugs and packaging materials. While one Rahman Abudu was arrested at the scene with Tramadol capsules, Yahaya managed to escape and is still on the run. All suspects are currently in custody at the Sakasaka Police Station, with exhibits handed to investigators for screening and forensic analysis. Police say investigations are ongoing to locate the two suspects at large and to dismantle the wider drug network in the metropolis. The Police Service praised the IGP Special Operations Team’s professionalism and effectiveness, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property during the festive season and beyond. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

President John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, has praised the deployment of Ghanaian Army engineers to Jamaica, describing it as a testament to the enduring friendship between Ghana, Jamaica, and the international community. The deployment comes in response to a recent hurricane that devastated parts of Jamaica. The Ghanaian contingent, comprising eight commissioned officers and 45 soldiers, will assist with constructing temporary shelters and rebuilding critical infrastructure. During a send-off ceremony at the Jubilee Lounge of Kotoka International Airport, President Mahama emphasized that the mission reflects Ghana’s commitment to humanitarian aid on the global stage and is expected to strengthen ties with Jamaica. He urged the personnel to uphold the highest standards of conduct, reminding them that their actions would reflect the professionalism and values of the Ghana Armed Forces. “You represent Ghana to the world,” President Mahama told the team. He encouraged them to demonstrate discipline, integrity, teamwork, and respect for local authorities and communities, while prioritizing their own safety throughout the assignment. The President also extended gratitude to the United States government, and in particular President Donald Trump, for facilitating the troops’ transportation. He acknowledged that logistical hurdles initially threatened the mission, but U.S. airlift support made the deployment possible. The engineering team is expected to return home upon completion of their humanitarian assignment in Jamaica, having contributed to recovery efforts and further cemented Ghana’s reputation for international solidarity. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Ghana’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the 1931 Extradition Treaty between the United States of America and Great Britain remains valid and enforceable in Ghana, confirming that it forms part of the country’s existing legal framework. The landmark decision, delivered in Reference No. J6/01/2024, arose from an extradition application and clarifies that Ghana succeeded to the treaty upon independence, as the then-Gold Coast was a British colony at the time the treaty was enacted. The court held that such treaties automatically became part of Ghana’s legal system post-independence. The ruling also affirmed that trial magistrates in Ghana have jurisdiction to hear and determine extradition requests, referencing the Extradition Act, 1960 (Act 22), and judicial precedents including Ex parte Allotey. “We are of the firm view that the trial Magistrate had jurisdiction to consider and determine the application for extradition before her,” the court stated. A seven-member panel comprising Justices H. Kwofie, G. Pwamang, M. Owusu (Ms.), Prof. H.J.A.N. Mensa-Bonsu (Mrs.), E. Yonny Kulendi, B. F. Ackah-Yensu (Ms.), and Y. Darko Asare signed the decision. The ruling settles lingering questions about the continued force of pre-independence treaties in Ghana, holding that the 1931 treaty is recognized under Article 11 of the 1992 Constitution as part of existing law. The decision is poised to have significant implications for future extradition proceedings, especially regarding requests from the United States. Legal representation in the case included Nicholas Lenin Anane Agyei, Esq., for the applicant; and Principal State Attorney Richard Gyambiby, with Yvonne Yaache-Adomako, Ackah Nyameke, and Director of Public Prosecutions Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa for the Republic. Meanwhile, Rolf Olson, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, commented at a media roundtable that established U.S. protocols will be followed in the event of extradition requests from Ghanaian authorities. His remarks came amid ongoing efforts by Ghana’s Special Prosecutor to secure the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who faces a 78-count indictment and is reportedly outside Ghana for health reasons. The OSP assured the courts that all legal mechanisms and international cooperation are being pursued to ensure the accused persons’ appearance as required by law. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Obuasi Police Command has arrested 40 suspects in a series of coordinated early-morning swoops targeting criminal hideouts and drug peddling hotspots across Obuasi and its surrounding communities. The operation, carried out on Monday, December 16, 2025, between 5:00 a.m. and 10:20 a.m., was led by ASP Adam Muakalu with support from officers of the Divisional Operations Unit, Obuasi District, and the Formed Police Unit (FPU) Obuasi Base. According to a police situation report, the exercise focused on several locations, including Bedieso, Kunka Junction, Abompe, and Akaporiso. At Bedieso, police arrested eight suspects and retrieved dried leaves suspected to be cannabis from a black polythene bag found behind their apprehension spot. At Kunka Junction, one suspect was found in possession of a wrapped package of dried leaves believed to be cannabis, and eleven others who attempted to flee were quickly rounded up and detained by officers. In Abompe, multiple suspects were arrested in a ghetto where they were allegedly smoking, with two bottles of alcohol suspected to be laced with cannabis recovered from the scene. The operation continued in Akaporiso, where police discovered another quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis on a suspect. Additional arrests were made at the back of an uncompleted building, where suspects were reportedly smoking and drinking alcohol. Officers also seized a pack of tramadol during the sweep. All 40 suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations. Exhibits seized during the operation are being held at the police station for forensic analysis. Police say that suspects found in possession of illegal substances will be arraigned before the court as soon as possible. Detective Chief Inspector Odoom Stephen of the District Criminal Investigations Department (DCID), Obuasi, assured the public that the police will sustain such operations to clamp down on criminal activities and enhance safety within the municipality. Source: Apexnewsgh.com