A total of 68 African nationals have been repatriated from Ghana’s Ashanti Region to their respective countries following court rulings over criminal activities, including involvement in the Q-Net scam and prostitution. Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene announced in a Facebook post on December 18, 2025, that those deported included 42 Nigerians, 13 Cameroonians, seven Beninese, three Ivorians, and three Burkinabe nationals. He said the repatriations were carried out in line with due process and commended the Ghana Immigration Service for its professionalism, diligence, and collaboration with the courts and other security agencies in enforcing immigration laws and maintaining public safety.

Ghana to receive additional $385m from IMF programme

Ghana is set to receive an additional $385 million under its Extended Credit Facility programme after the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund completed the fifth review of the arrangement. The disbursement brings total IMF support under the 39-month, $3 billion programme approved in May 2023 to about $2.8 billion. In a statement issued from Washington, DC, the IMF said Ghana’s performance under the programme had been generally satisfactory, with all quantitative targets for the review met. The Fund noted that economic growth through September 2025 exceeded expectations, inflation had declined into the Bank of Ghana’s target range, and the external sector strengthened due to robust gold and cocoa exports. While acknowledging progress in financial sector reforms and debt restructuring, the IMF cautioned that vulnerabilities persist in state-owned banks and called for stronger governance and supervision.

Youth unemployment flagged as national security concern

New data from the Ghana Statistical Service show that about 1.3 million young people aged 15 to 24 were not in employment, education, or training in the third quarter of 2025, representing 21.5 per cent of that age group. Reacting to the figures on a local radio channel, Citi FM, on December 18, Youth Development and Employment Minister George Opare Addo described the situation as alarming and warned that rising youth unemployment poses a serious national security threat. He said the John Mahama-led administration would intensify efforts to reduce unemployment and re-engage young people in productive economic activities as part of broader measures to safeguard national stability.

Ghana deploys troops abroad amid regional and international crises

Ghana has deployed military personnel to Jamaica and Benin in moves that signal an expansion of its South-South cooperation and regional security role. At a send-off parade in Accra on December 17, President John Mahama said the 14 Engineer Brigade deployed to Jamaica would focus on reconstruction rather than combat following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which killed more than 45 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Ghana is also contributing about 100 personnel to the ECOWAS Standby Force in Benin after an attempted coup earlier in December. While authorities in Benin say the situation is under control, Ghanaian troops remain part of efforts to safeguard constitutional order, even as the deployments have sparked domestic debate over costs, priorities, and executive authority.

Ghana signs WTO law advisory accession protocol in Geneva

Ghana has signed the accession protocol to the Advisory Centre on WTO Law, gaining access to specialised legal support for trade disputes. The agreement was signed on December 18, 2025, in Geneva by Ghana’s Ambassador to the WTO, Emmanuel Asiedu Antwi, making Ghana one of 39 developing countries eligible for discounted legal services and training under the centre. The Advisory Centre provides confidential legal advice, representation in dispute settlement proceedings, and capacity-building programmes. While officials say the move will strengthen Ghana’s ability to defend its trade interests, the signing comes amid longstanding concerns about the country’s regulatory capacity and compliance with WTO notification obligations, highlighted during its most recent Trade Policy Review.

“Thailand’s reported air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia sound alarming, and they are,” he said, noting that such confrontations between ASEAN neighbours are rare and increase the risk of miscalculation. He insisted, however, that “a full-scale regional war is still very unlikely.”

Contreras’ statement comes after Thailand confirmed on Monday that it had carried out air strikes on Cambodian positions after accusing Phnom Penh of breaching a ceasefire brokered earlier this year. 

One Thai soldier was killed and eight others wounded, prompting the Air Force to deploy aircraft “to deter and reduce Cambodia's military capabilities,” according to a Thai army statement.

Cambodia rejected the accusations and said Thailand launched dawn attacks at two locations following “provocative actions.” Its defence ministry insisted Cambodian forces had “not responded,” even as three civilians were reported seriously wounded. Former leader Hun Sen called Thailand the “aggressors” and urged Cambodian troops to exercise restraint.

Contreras stressed that the clashes remain geographically limited. “The conflict is localized,” he said, explaining that the fighting is confined to long-contested border areas with a history of flare-ups. “There is no sign of nationwide mobilization from either side.”

He also pointed out limitations of both Thailand's and Cambodia’s militaries and economies.

“Neither military is built for prolonged interstate war,” he said. Both armies are primarily oriented toward internal security and border defence, making extended conflict “neither feasible nor desirable.”

“Economies, especially Thailand’s, can’t afford escalation,” he added, noting that tourism is a vital component of Thailand’s economy and that reports of “air strikes” alone can alarm visitors.

Regional and international actors are also likely to act to prevent escalation. Contreras noted incentives for the United States , China, and neighbouring governments to pressure both sides into dialogue. ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim has already urged “maximum restraint.”

Contreras said urgent diplomatic intervention is needed, but the risk of a full-scale regional war remains low. 

“This is concerning and needs quick diplomatic intervention, but a debilitating Thailand–Cambodia war that destabilizes the region is still highly unlikely. Economic pressure, ASEAN dynamics, and political reality all point toward de-escalation rather than war,” he said.

“The development of bilateral relations and security cooperation between the United States and Japan should contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability, not undermine it,” Guo stated.

His remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo the same day, declaring a “new Golden Age” in the US-Japan alliance — a sentiment that echoes Trump’s recent emphasis on strengthening bilateral military and economic ties.