The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has officially established the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Diaspora Awards, an annual initiative to honour individuals of Ghanaian and African descent abroad who have made significant contributions to development, culture, and global Pan-African advancement. In a landmark event on Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration launched the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Diaspora Awards, a new annual tradition aimed at celebrating the achievements of individuals of Ghanaian and African descent living abroad. These awards will recognise those who have made outstanding contributions to development, culture, and the advancement of Pan-African ideals across the globe. The unveiling ceremony was graced by Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana’s first President and founder, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Her presence and participation in the launch brought a sense of history and continuity to the initiative, as she lent her family’s legacy to the prestigious awards. Also present was Professor Abena Busia, daughter of former Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, who openly supported and endorsed the programme. The involvement of descendants from two of Ghana’s most prominent political families highlighted the national importance and non-partisan spirit of the awards. The Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Diaspora Awards are designed not only to honour individual excellence, but also to strengthen the deep and enduring bonds between Ghana and the global African diaspora. The initiative reaffirms Ghana’s role as a beacon of Pan-Africanism and a welcoming homeland for people of African heritage worldwide. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced that further details regarding nomination categories, selection criteria, and the first awards ceremony will be made public in the coming weeks. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The extradition of Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to the United States could encounter significant legal obstacles if political motivations are raised, according to Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, an International Law and Human Rights expert at the University of Ghana School of Law. Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Saturday, December 12, Professor Appiagyei-Atua explained that while U.S. courts will focus on whether the technical and legal requirements for extradition have been met, claims of political persecution could complicate proceedings, especially in cases involving high-ranking officials. “It is possible that Mr. Ofori-Atta may argue that the extradition request is politically motivated. Such claims are not uncommon in international extradition cases, particularly where high-ranking political figures are involved,” he noted. “The U.S. courts will examine both the procedural correctness of the submission and whether there are grounds to believe the request may be politically motivated.” The extradition request, formally submitted by Ghana’s Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine, seeks to have Ofori-Atta and his former Chief of Cabinet, Ernest Darko Akore, brought to the United States to face 78 corruption-related charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The legal documents were transmitted on December 10, 2025, through Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the U.S. Department of Justice. This move represents a significant step in the fight against corruption, signaling Ghana’s commitment to holding public officials accountable. However, as Professor Appiagyei-Atua warns, the extradition process could be prolonged if arguments about political motivation are introduced in U.S. courts. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Hamza Suhuyini, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, has called for a more realistic perspective on the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Suhuyini expressed concern over criticism that the government has failed in its fight against the menace, emphasizing that the magnitude of the problem makes it impossible to resolve within a single year. His remarks follow the government’s recent revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which had granted the President authority to approve mining in forest reserves. The Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, became law on December 10, 2025, after being tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. Speaking to the media on December 12, Suhuyini noted that the repeal of the controversial law is part of broader government efforts to address illegal mining. However, he cautioned that lasting success hinges on sustained enforcement, inter-agency collaboration, and strong public support. “We are committed to the fight, but the scale and depth of illegal mining require long-term strategies and consistent action across all levels,” he stated. “It will be unfair to expect this government to deal with all issues of illegal mining within one year. We have shown commitment in fighting it in many ways. As a government, we know that because of how deep illegal mining is, it will be difficult for us to confront it in a matter of a year.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com

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

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

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

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