‘I want justice for my son’ – Mother of slain Ghanaian teenager Javits Frimpong
The mother of slain 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong has called for justice for her son following his fatal shooting in the Bronx, New York. “I want justice for my son, that’s all,” Doris Adu Gyamfi told the media at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday morning as she prepared to travel to New York to mourn him. Dressed in black and wearing dark glasses, she spoke as members of the Bronx community continue to pay tribute to the teenager. A vigil was held in his memory, bringing together Americans and members of the African diaspora. Some participants wore black shirts bearing the words “Stop the Bullying,” while mothers and clergymen offered prayers and called for justice. A memorial has also been set up near East 170th Street, close to Crotona Park, where Javits collapsed after being shot in the stomach. According to ABC7NY’s Eyewitness News people have been visiting the site to pay their respects. While some parents have brought their children to explain what happened, others have left written tributes on poster boards and candles. As the memorial grows, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has erected barricades around the site and blocked parts of the sidewalk. An eyewitness who tried to help Javits said he applied pressure to the teenager’s wound and shouted for assistance but was ignored by passersby. A grand memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, with the street expected to be closed for the event. Police are still searching for three teenage suspects in connection with the shooting. CCTV footage reportedly captured one of them fleeing the scene wearing what appeared to be a black hoodie, with a red scarf underneath and wrapped around the head. Javits’ mother had hoped her son would grow up to become a medical doctor. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
The International Monetary Fund’s Roadmap for Ghana: Eight Priorities for Economic Stability
Ghana stands at a pivotal moment in its journey toward economic resilience. Following the first review of its 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) programme, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delineated a clear path forward, outlining eight critical priorities for the nation to consolidate macroeconomic stability and strengthen public financial management. The story began when the IMF reached a staff-level agreement with Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to secure lasting fiscal reforms and sustain economic stability. In its end-of-mission statement, the Fund praised Ghana’s progress but emphasized that the journey is far from over. The IMF’s eight priorities read like a roadmap for reform: Reform the Bank of Ghana’s liquidity management framework to ensure a more stable financial environment. Complete the rollout of the Integrated Tax Administration System, aiming to boost domestic revenue mobilisation and improve tax efficiency. Operationalise the Fiscal Council to enhance fiscal oversight and discipline. Prepare a comprehensive Fiscal Risk Statement to better manage and anticipate fiscal vulnerabilities. Publish the audit of ECG’s collection accounts as a step towards greater transparency in the energy sector. Adopt the Conduct of Public Officers Bill to strengthen ethical standards and public sector governance. Publish the second National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Action Plan, reinforcing the fight against corruption. Strengthen oversight and governance of state-owned enterprises, ensuring these key entities contribute positively to the economy. According to the IMF, timely completion of these reforms will be instrumental in boosting institutional accountability, enhancing fiscal transparency, and fostering a more attractive climate for private sector investment. Yet, the journey is not without its hurdles. The IMF cautioned that Ghana’s economic recovery remains vulnerable to both domestic and external risks. Globally, volatility in gold, cocoa, and oil prices, alongside geopolitical tensions and tightening financial conditions, could threaten the nation’s hard-won stability. Closer to home, Ghana faces substantial debt rollover requirements, fiscal pressures from the energy, cocoa, and gold sectors, and persistent weaknesses in the financial sector. To navigate these challenges, the IMF advises Ghana to maintain prudent monetary policies, allow greater exchange rate flexibility, bolster its international reserves, and build up a sinking fund to meet maturing debt obligations. As Ghana embarks on this next phase, the IMF’s eight-point plan offers a blueprint for reform, one that, if executed with determination and discipline, could pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Upper East Region, South Korea Strengthen Partnership To Drive Agricultural Modernisation, Technology And Industrial Development
The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic and technological cooperation with South Korea, expressing readiness to welcome Korean investors and technology partners to support agricultural modernisation, skills development, water management and the revival of agro-industrial facilities in the region. The commitment was communicated by Ms Anatu Bogobiri, who represented the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, at the Ghana–Korea Business Forum 2026 held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Delivering the Regional Minister’s speech, Ms Bogobiri conveyed warm greetings from the people of the Upper East Region and explained that the Minister was unable to attend personally because of pressing official duties in the region. She expressed appreciation to Mr Cheol Soo Lee, Chief Executive Officer of A-Tech Group Korea, as well as the Daejeon Defense Industry Cooperative Association (DICA) and Digital Eye Africa Ltd for facilitating the visit of the Korean delegation to Ghana. She emphasised that the Upper East Region was not merely interested in establishing relations with South Korea but was prepared to translate the proposed partnership into practical development initiatives. “The Upper East Region is not only open to Korean partnership, it is ready for a Korean partnership,” she stated. According to her, discussions between the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council and A-Tech Group Korea over the past year have established a framework for cooperation covering drone and satellite technology, skills training, academic exchange and the revival of agro-industrial facilities. She disclosed that the discussions had been consolidated into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Upper East Region and the Korean team, subject to approval by the relevant authorities. A key component of the proposed collaboration is a programme with Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) to introduce drone and satellite remote-sensing capabilities in northern Ghana. The University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Navrongo has also been identified as a university partner. Ms Bogobiri noted that South Korea’s transformation from a war-torn, largely rural economy into a global leader in technology and manufacturing offered valuable lessons for the Upper East Region. She attributed Korea’s development experience to sustained investment in human capital, rural modernisation and long-term planning, adding that the Upper East Region had the land, human resources and development framework needed to accelerate its transformation. She explained that the region, which shares borders with Burkina Faso and serves as a gateway to the Sahel and Togo, has an estimated population of 1.3 million people spread across 15 districts and municipalities. A significant proportion of the population is young and depends largely on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, she acknowledged that the region continues to face development challenges, including a single rainy season, rising temperatures, pressure on land and water resources, and limited local processing of agricultural produce. To address these challenges, she highlighted the Upper East Region’s PEARL Framework 2026–2035, which stands for Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture and Regional Livelihoods. The ten-year development framework is estimated at GH¢8.6 billion and covers all 15 districts, eight sectors and 23 flagship projects. According to her, the framework was validated earlier this year through consultations involving traditional authorities, District Assemblies, farmers, women’s groups, traders and private-sector stakeholders. She identified several existing resources and infrastructure that could support the proposed Korean partnership. These include the Tono, Vea and Tamne irrigation schemes, which provide opportunities for dry-season agriculture, as well as agro-industrial facilities such as the Pwalugu Tomato Factory, Zuarungu Meat Factory, Pusu-Namongo cotton ginnery and Bolgatanga rice mills. Other opportunities include the region’s livestock and guinea fowl production potential, gold resources around Talensi and the strategic Paga border corridor, which provides access to markets across the Sahel. Ms Bogobiri outlined five major areas where Korean technology, expertise and investment could contribute to the region’s development. On precision agriculture and drone technology, she explained that farmers frequently suffer crop losses from drought, flooding and fall armyworm infestations, sometimes without early warning. She said the introduction of drones and satellite data could help farmers identify threats early, map agricultural fields, monitor crop conditions and improve the application of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs. She proposed that the initiative should initially target the Tono, Vea and Tamne irrigation schemes, where the benefits could be demonstrated more quickly. On geospatial mapping, she noted that District Assemblies require accurate information on land, settlements and properties to improve physical planning and strengthen revenue mobilisation. She added that the same technology could help identify water sources and monitor land restoration efforts in communities affected by mining activities. Water management was identified as another important area for cooperation. She said Korean expertise in water treatment, small-scale purification systems and efficient irrigation could help address drinking water challenges in communities while supporting agricultural production. On skills development, she stressed that technological investments would only be sustainable if local people acquired the knowledge to operate, maintain and repair the equipment. She therefore called on Korean partners to work with BTU, UTAS and technical institutions in the region to train young people in drone operation, equipment maintenance, geographical information systems (GIS), cybersecurity and coding. Industrial cooperation also featured prominently in the address. Ms Bogobiri invited Korean companies to explore investment opportunities in the region’s existing but underutilised agro-processing facilities, particularly in tomato, rice, meat and cotton processing. She explained that these facilities already had infrastructure, land and community support, providing a foundation for potential industrial partnerships. She further indicated that drone and geospatial technologies could support national security agencies in addressing security pressures in the region’s border communities, provided such applications operated within Ghana’s laws and in collaboration with the appropriate national authorities. Emphasising the importance of a mutually beneficial partnership, Ms Bogobiri said the Upper East Region was prepared to offer Korean investors four major assurances. First, she said the PEARL Framework provides a clear development roadmap, allowing potential investors to understand the region’s priorities and identify where their investments could contribute. Second, the Regional Coordinating Council would serve as a
King Charles III Expresses Profound Sorrow Over Legacy of Slave Trade at Commonwealth Summit
King Charles III of the United Kingdom has publicly described the transatlantic slave trade as a shameful chapter in human history, expressing deep regret for its enduring impact on Commonwealth nations. The monarch’s remarks came during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Addressing leaders and dignitaries, King Charles acknowledged that the history of slavery continues to cast a long shadow over the Caribbean and other regions within the Commonwealth. He described the trade in enslaved Africans as a chapter that “fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow.” “We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past,” the King said, emphasizing his commitment to listening, learning, and building partnerships that address historical injustices through practical action. His comments arrive at a time of renewed global calls for recognition and reparative justice for the transatlantic slave trade. On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly passed a landmark resolution, spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama with backing from the African Union and CARICOM, declaring the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement the “gravest crime against humanity.” The resolution was adopted with 123 votes in favour. Looking to the future, King Charles said the Commonwealth must not be defined solely by its painful history. Instead, he urged member states to address the legacy of slavery by expanding access to education, investing in employment and economic opportunities, promoting intra-Commonwealth trade, and supporting climate resilience. He called on leaders to focus on practical solutions that meet the needs of their people, ensuring that the Commonwealth responds not just to the past, but also to present and future challenges. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bawumia Calls for Laws to Safeguard Jobs Amid Rising Artificial Intelligence Adoption
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has sounded the alarm over the potential threat Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses to job security, urging lawmakers to enact legislation that protects Ghanaian workers from displacement as automation advances. Addressing the Trades Union Congress (TUC) during a session devoted to labour issues, economic transformation, and the future of work, Dr. Bawumia described AI as a “frightening prospect” for the workforce. He acknowledged that while AI promises significant improvements in productivity and efficiency, its rapid integration into the workplace could jeopardize employment and income security for many. “Machines and software applications are increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally undertaken by humans,” he told the gathering, warning that businesses globally are embracing automation to cut costs and boost output, leaving several occupations vulnerable to technological disruption. Dr. Bawumia emphasized the need for Ghana to act proactively, developing a national strategy that harnesses AI’s potential while safeguarding workers. “Artificial Intelligence should be a tool to complement human labour and not a substitute for it,” he asserted. He called for collaboration among government, organized labour, employers, and technology experts to craft comprehensive laws and regulations that both protect workers and foster innovation. The proposed framework, he suggested, should include provisions for retraining, reskilling, and continuous education, ensuring workers are equipped with the skills to remain relevant in a digital economy. Encouraging labour unions to take an active role in shaping the national AI agenda, Dr. Bawumia also expressed concern that Africa’s youthful population could face surging unemployment if technological progress outpaces investment in human capital. He stressed the importance of policies to guarantee that the rewards of AI are distributed equitably, avoiding a widening of social and economic divides. With the right legislative safeguards and forward-thinking policies, Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence that Ghana can embrace the benefits of AI while protecting jobs and preserving the dignity of work. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
EOCO Demands Financial Records from Law Firm Linked to Manhyia North MP
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has intensified its investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving Sarkodie Baffour Awuah and Partners, a prominent law firm where Manhyia North MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, serves as senior partner. In a letter dated Friday, October 30, 2026, EOCO invoked its statutory mandate under Section 19 of the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804), formally requesting the firm’s financial and operational records. The move is part of a broader probe into suspected offences including criminal conspiracy, causing financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, and various tax-related breaches. EOCO has asked the firm to submit its audited financial statements covering the years 2017 through 2025, as well as evidence of tax payments made to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The requested tax documentation spans corporate tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), levies, and withholding tax records. Further, the investigative body is seeking a comprehensive list of all bank accounts operated by the law firm, accompanied by corresponding bank statements for the nine-year period under scrutiny. EOCO also wants copies of the firm’s operating permit, issued by the appropriate local authority, and evidence of its renewal, along with a current list of employees, if any. Sarkodie Baffour Awuah and Partners has been directed to comply and provide the requested documents to EOCO by November 6, 2026, as the agency presses ahead with its efforts to unravel the truth behind the allegations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Mulls Light Rail Network to Replace Aayalolo Contra-Flow in Accra
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has revealed that the government is considering a bold new approach to addressing Accra’s persistent transportation woes: replacing the Aayalolo bus contra-flow system with a modern light rail network. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Ayariga explained that President John Dramani Mahama has tasked him to begin discussions on the feasibility of introducing light rail services along four of the city’s busiest commuter corridors. These routes currently benefit from the Aayalolo contra-flow arrangement, which allows designated buses to travel against the normal direction of traffic to cut down on congestion and shorten commute times. “Contra-flow is good, but look at light rail as your more permanent solution going into the future,” Ayariga quoted the President as saying. In response, the minister has begun engaging the Railway Authority and other stakeholders to explore how the ambitious light rail plan could take shape. The Aayalolo contra-flow system, introduced to improve public transport efficiency during peak traffic hours, has undoubtedly brought relief to many Accra commuters. By allowing buses to use select lanes in the opposite direction of regular traffic, the system has helped reduce delays and make public transportation more reliable for thousands traveling between residential neighborhoods and the city’s main commercial and employment hubs. Yet, Ayariga acknowledged that the current set-up has its limitations. The success of contra-flow depends on road infrastructure, traffic management, and the availability of enough buses and trained personnel. A light rail network, he suggested, would offer a more sustainable, high-capacity alternative that could keep pace with Accra’s growth and the ever-increasing demand for efficient urban transport. As the government weighs its options, discussions are set to intensify in the coming months, with stakeholders and the public watching closely to see if Accra’s transit system will soon be riding the rails into the future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
IMANI Africa Vice-President Alleges Grand Conspiracy Behind Airport Drug Trafficking in Ghana
Kofi Bentil ESQ, Vice-President of the policy think tank IMANI Africa, has set social media abuzz after revealing what he describes as a wide-reaching conspiracy enabling Ghana’s airports to serve as transit hubs for illicit drugs, including cocaine. In a Facebook post, Bentil shared messages from an anonymous source who claimed to have direct knowledge of recent events surrounding the record-breaking cocaine bust at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. The source described an elaborate scheme involving multiple Ghanaian security agencies, allowing narcotics to be smuggled out of the country undetected. According to the account relayed by Bentil, the operation is meticulously coordinated. “There is a grand conspiracy in respect of the cocaine seizure at the airport. The suitcases are driven to the tarmac and loaded directly into the airplane,” the source explained. The conspiracy, it was alleged, includes insiders from Customs, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), National Security, Police, and Aviation Security, all of whom are aware of and complicit in these operations. “The TEAM at various points ensures the bags are loaded in special spaces on board.” The source even described a code phrase, “NNE WO NYAME NKO,” meaning “Go with your God”—used as a signal to facilitate the movement of the contraband. “If all goes through, everyone is sorted big time aside the usual,” the message added, implying lucrative payoffs for the collaborators. In a striking contradiction to official accounts, Bentil’s source alleged that the widely publicized explanation by NACOC, that the Beirut cocaine bust was the result of a controlled delivery operation in partnership with Lebanese authorities, was a fabrication. “NACOC is lying. The government is deeply involved,” the source claimed, further alleging that after the arrest in Beirut, Lebanese Customs contacted Ghana Customs directly, bypassing NACOC. The controversy follows the October 31 arrest of a Syrian national at Beirut’s international airport. The suspect, who arrived from Accra, was caught with 46.7kg of cocaine, the largest drug seizure ever recorded at the airport. NACOC responded with a statement on November 1, insisting the incident was part of a coordinated effort with Lebanese counterparts to disrupt transnational trafficking networks and apprehend suspects at both ends. However, the official narrative has come under scrutiny from security analysts and opposition figures, who question how such a large consignment could leave Ghana if authorities were truly monitoring the operation. NACOC, for its part, maintains that it is actively pursuing accomplices within the country as the investigation continues. Bentil’s explosive revelations have intensified calls for transparency and accountability, as Ghanaians grapple with the possibility of systemic collusion in the nation’s law enforcement ranks. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
The Narcotics Control Commission Nabs Three Foreign Nationals Over Historic Beirut Cocaine Bust
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana has arrested three foreign nationals linked to a record-breaking cocaine seizure at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. The suspects, a woman and two men of Syrian, Tunisian, and Lebanese nationalities, were apprehended in separate, intelligence-led operations in Accra on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Their arrests were the result of swift information sharing between Ghanaian and Lebanese law enforcement agencies. It all began on Saturday, October 31, when Lebanese Customs officers at Rafic Hariri International Airport made a startling discovery. Acting on a tip, they stopped a Syrian national who had just arrived from Accra aboard a Middle East Airlines flight. Inside two seemingly ordinary suitcases, officers uncovered 40 packages ingeniously concealed with sophisticated packaging and insulation materials, cocaine weighing a staggering 46.7 kilogrammes, the largest haul ever at the airport. Investigators also found electronic tracking devices hidden among the drugs, suggesting a highly organized smuggling operation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Syrian suspect had entered Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing from Syria several weeks prior, before making his way to Accra and returning with the illicit cargo. The bust set off a flurry of international cooperation. Ghana’s NACOC and Lebanese security agencies quickly launched joint investigations to trace the shipment’s origins, identify other key players, and map out the broader international trafficking network. On November 3, acting on intelligence from their Lebanese counterparts, NACOC moved in Accra. Two suspects were picked up earlier in the day, while the third was arrested around 5 PM. The operations were part of a coordinated controlled-delivery strategy designed to nab accomplices at both ends of the trafficking route and to gather intelligence to dismantle the criminal network. According to a statement by the commission, the investigation is ongoing, with both Ghanaian and Lebanese authorities working tirelessly to identify the intended recipient of the cocaine, track down suspected accomplices, and uncover the masterminds who orchestrated the elaborate smuggling attempt. NACOC emphasized that their efforts reflect a broader mission to stamp out transnational drug trafficking and ensure that Ghana does not become a conduit for international narcotics crime. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Governor Promises Stable Cedi for Christmas
Ghanaians can look forward to a festive season free from exchange-rate worries, according to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama. Speaking at the African Virtual Assets Summit (AVAS) 2026 on Monday, November 2, Dr Asiama addressed the concerns of businesses and consumers who have been closely watching the Cedi’s performance against major foreign currencies. “What I can promise is a good Christmas as far as the exchange rate is concerned. We will have a good Christmas,” Dr Asiama assured, projecting confidence in the stability of the local currency in the weeks ahead. His remarks came as the Bank of Ghana’s latest interbank exchange rates, published on November 2 by Channel One Research Desk, showed the Cedi buying at GH¢11.6142 and selling at GH¢11.6258 to the US dollar at the close of business the previous Friday. The pound sterling stood at GH¢15.5549 for buying and GH¢15.5704 for selling, while the euro traded at GH¢12.9559 and GH¢12.9678 for buying and selling respectively, according to the central bank’s reference rates. Dr Asiama’s assurance is expected to ease tension among importers, exporters, and ordinary citizens, especially as the Christmas season approaches, a period often marked by heightened demand for foreign currency and price fluctuations. With the Cedi holding steady, Ghanaians may indeed be able to plan for the holidays with greater confidence this year. Source: Apexnewsgh.com