In a scene straight out of an action movie, Cantonments, one of Accra’s most serene neighbourhoods, turned into a battleground on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Gunshots echoed near the American Embassy as chaos erupted over the ownership of the UNDP Flats, leaving residents fleeing for their lives.
At the epicentre of the scandal is Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing, accused of masterminding fraudulent property schemes. In a chilling twist, his alleged enforcer, Corporal Joshua Domabalee, known by the ominous nickname “Scorpion,” led the NPP Invisible Forces in a brazen assault, terrorising workers and residents.
Eyewitnesses recount how masked men in military uniforms arrived in a black Toyota Tundra with no license plates, storming the compound. Gunfire erupted as the assailants targeted workers from Around The Clock Contractors Limited, who were overseeing renovations. The attack left several injured as workers and residents scrambled for safety.
Adding to the drama is Assemblyman Basiru Mahama, accused of orchestrating the violence alongside militia groups. Reports also implicate individuals like Mohammed-Kawsar Abu and Abdullah Moussa, described as “caretakers,” further deepening the web of intrigue surrounding the incident.
Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei’s name looms large in this scandal. Formerly the Director of Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring, and Evaluating at the Ministry of Works and Housing, he is now embroiled in accusations of corrupt dealings. In the wake of the NPP’s December 2024 electoral defeat, Rev. Osei reportedly awarded a controversial contract worth millions of dollars to Joberg Ghana Limited, raising eyebrows with its irregular terms, including a dubious 40% insurance bond clause.
His alleged corruption doesn’t end there. Reports reveal that Rev. Osei sold government properties for personal gain, including a $1.2 million land deal facilitated through AMANTRA Limited to Lysaro Group, owned by Cynthia Adjei. These transactions reek of conflict of interest and financial misconduct.
Cantonments residents, once proud of their peaceful enclave, now live in fear. The attack on the UNDP Flats has left families traumatised, as the community grapples with the fallout of unchecked greed and violence.
Investigations are underway, but the revelations so far paint a grim picture of collusion between government officials, rogue developers, and militia groups. The involvement of powerful figures like Rev. Osei underscores the entrenched corruption that plagues Ghana’s housing sector.
The nation watches with bated breath as calls for justice grow louder. Will this scandal mark a turning point for accountability in Ghana, or will it join the long list of cases swept under the rug? For now, Cantonments struggles to rebuild its shattered tranquillity.
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