Osino Landlord Arrested for Selling Home to Illegal Miners in Galamsey Scandal

Police in the Eastern Region have arrested a landlord in Osino Zongo for allegedly selling his residential property to illegal miners, locally known as galamsey operators. The arrest, which also led to the detention of three accomplices, has stirred anger and fear in the community, where residents say mining beneath homes threatens lives and property. Authorities have vowed swift prosecution and a broader crackdown on the illegal trade.

Why It Matters

Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most persistent environmental and social challenges. When private property owners collude with miners to conduct operations in residential zones, the risks multiply — from groundwater pollution and structural damage to the erosion of community safety and trust.

How the Arrest Happened

According to the Fanteakwa South District Assembly, the suspect, a middle-aged man, was arrested on Tuesday, October 7, during a joint operation led by District Chief Executive (DCE) Mercy Korang and National Security operatives

The team reportedly acted on a tip-off that underground mining was taking place on a residential compound. Upon storming the property, they found excavation tools, washing equipment, and mining pits dug beneath what appeared to be a four-bedroom home.

Authorities Condemn Act, Promise Prosecution

Investigators later discovered that the landlord had sold the house for GH₵800,000 to the miners, who falsely claimed they were digging a well. Further inspection revealed that the supposed well was, in fact, a deep underground gold pit.

Regional Crackdown Ordered

Meanwhile, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey has directed all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to profile all miners and their financiers within two weeks. The move forms part of a broader regional crackdown on illegal mining to restore safety and protect communities affected by galamsey operations.