Authorities have apprehended two men for allegedly digging a grave unlawfully at the Osu Cemetery, as part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal and unethical burial practices at the historic site in Accra.
The Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly confirmed that the suspects, identified as Eric Annan and Joseph Donkor, were arrested on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The arrests were carried out by a security task force assigned to monitor the cemetery, in collaboration with the cemetery’s sexton, following routine surveillance of burial activities.
Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the Osu Police Station for further investigation and possible prosecution under applicable laws regulating cemetery use and grave digging.
The action is part of a wider crackdown by municipal authorities after verified complaints of unlawful exhumations, desecration of human remains, and the unauthorized sale of burial plots were brought to light. Municipal Chief Executive Alfred Allotey Gaisie had earlier addressed the issue during a press briefing on Thursday, February 5, 2026, highlighting the need to restore order, ethics, and proper management at the cemetery.
“Illegal and unethical burial practices have been reported, including unauthorised digging of graves, exhumation of remains, and illegal allocation of burial plots,” Gaisie said. “We are taking firm measures to protect the dignity of the deceased and ensure that the cemetery is managed responsibly.”
In response to the ongoing concerns, the Municipal Assembly temporarily suspended all burial activities at Osu Cemetery for two months. The suspension aims to allow authorities to audit burial permits, verify plot documentation, restructure management procedures, and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Officials stressed that during the suspension period, no new burials will be permitted, and only verified and authorized interments will be allowed once operations resume.
The Assembly has also appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities, warning that any individual found engaging in illegal activities at the cemetery will face strict penalties. “The message is clear: illegal digging, desecration, and unauthorised sales will not be tolerated,” a municipal spokesperson said.
Security officers assigned to the cemetery have been instructed to increase patrols and monitor suspicious activity, while municipal staff work to review records of existing burial plots and permits. The administration is also reviewing procedures for allocating graves to ensure transparency and prevent exploitation of families seeking burial spaces.
The Osu Cemetery, one of Accra’s most prominent burial grounds, has in recent years faced rising concerns over mismanagement, with families and residents reporting instances of improperly allocated plots and unregulated grave digging. These developments have intensified calls for systemic reforms and stronger enforcement of burial regulations.
Community leaders and residents have welcomed the arrests, emphasizing the need to safeguard the dignity of the deceased and ensure that cemeteries are treated with respect. Some have called for long-term measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras and stricter monitoring of graveyard operations.
Authorities say investigations into Eric Annan and Joseph Donkor’s actions are ongoing, and that further arrests may follow if additional individuals are found violating cemetery regulations. The Municipal Assembly has reiterated its commitment to enforcing ethical burial practices while maintaining orderly operations at the Osu Cemetery.
The crackdown at Osu Cemetery is part of a broader effort by municipal authorities across Accra to regulate burial grounds, protect public health, and uphold the sanctity of final resting places.
Source: Africa Publicity
