Environmental journalist with the Multimedia Group, Erastus Asare Donkor, has raised alarm over a disturbing and dangerous phenomenon in Konongo Odumase, in the Ashanti Region, where residents are reportedly living atop a vast network of illicit mine shafts dug directly beneath their homes.
Speaking on JoyNews' News Desk on Monday, 12 May, Mr Donkor described the town as "a crime scene", citing blatant violations of Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act, which prohibits mining activities within human settlements and within 100 metres of public roads.
Despite these legal restrictions, residents - both landlords and tenants - are said to be complicit in, or at the very least aware of, illegal mining operations that have hollowed out large swathes of the town's foundation. "These are landlords and tenants in action.
They know the repercussions, they are aware," Mr Donkor said.
