Kwaku Manu has reflected on a chapter of his life he says he has completely left behind, revealing that he was once involved in illegal small-scale mining before choosing a different path through film.
The Ghanaian actor and producer made the disclosure during an interview with Nana Romeo on UTV on January 10, 2026. He explained that his transition into professional filmmaking marked a turning point that gradually pulled him away from galamsey and redirected his focus.
“I registered with a movie production company, so when I began acting, galamsey didn’t interest me anymore. I decided to quit galamsey and focus more on acting,” he said.
Beyond his personal decision to exit the activity, Kwaku Manu painted a grim picture of the risks tied to illegal mining, describing it as an environment where danger is ever-present and often underestimated. According to him, the presence of gold and fast money can easily lead to violent outcomes when caution is abandoned.
“Wherever there’s gold, blood will always be shed if care is not taken. This happens because when you’re able to get gold during galamsey, you tend to forget yourself,” he explained.
He went on to detail the realities underground, where excitement and desperation frequently override safety measures. He noted that miners sometimes neglect basic precautions, even though they are aware of how fragile the environment can be.
“There are sticks we use to support the upper part of the holes we dig in search of gold. Sometimes, people forget how dangerous the place is due to excitement, and they end up hurting or killing themselves,” he stated.
Reflecting further, the actor acknowledged how the pursuit of money can cloud judgment, pushing people to ignore clear warning signs despite knowing the consequences.
“I’ve realised that wherever there’s money, blood is always spilled. It’s easy to die if you’re not vigilant,” he shared.
Still, Kwaku Manu expressed a level of respect for those who engage in the work, describing underground miners as exceptionally brave, even in the face of life-threatening conditions.
“I don’t know anyone more courageous than those doing galamsey, especially those who go underground. We always panic whenever we’re going underground, but the money we know we’ll get matters the most,” he disclosed.
He concluded by admitting that illegality alone is often not enough to deter participants, as the promise of financial reward can be a powerful pull.
“We know we’re not supposed to work there, but the money involved motivated us,” Kwaku Manu further stated.
Watch the interview below.
