Kwaku Manu
Actor and producer, Kwaku Manu, has revealed that he was once involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, but quit after committing fully to movie production.
Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on UTV on January 10, 2026, the actor said he lost interest in galamsey after registering with a movie production company and starting his acting career.
“When I began doing movies, galamsey didn’t interest me anymore, so I decided to quit and focus on acting,” he said.
Kwaku Manu described galamsey as a highly dangerous activity, explaining that the search for gold often leads to serious injuries and death.
“Wherever there’s gold, blood will be shed if care is not taken,” he stated, adding that excitement and the promise of quick money often make miners forget safety precautions.
He recounted how underground miners risk their lives by ignoring the supports used to hold mining pits, sometimes leading to fatal accidents.
According to him, the desire for money often clouds judgment, even when miners know the risks involved.
Despite its dangers and illegality, Kwaku Manu admitted that galamsey attracts people because of the financial rewards.
“We know it’s illegal, but the money motivates us,” he said.
The actor also described galamsey workers, especially those who go underground, as extremely courageous, noting that fear is often outweighed by the promise of profit.
He said quitting galamsey to focus on filmmaking has been one of the most important decisions of his life.