Renowned Kumawood film producer Paul Gee, born Paul Adjei, believes that a powerful way to combat illegal mining, or galamsey, in Ghana is through impactful movies, music, and other creative media. He has called on the government to invest GH₵2 billion ($121.6 million) in the creative industry to produce anti-galamsey content that will raise awareness, create jobs, and drive social change.
Although he did not specify how he arrived at the proposed figure, Paul Gee emphasized that this funding would support films, documentaries, music, and other creative works focused on highlighting the severe environmental and social effects of illegal mining. He explained that leveraging the talents of notable figures like actress Nana Ama McBrown would enhance the reach and influence of such projects.
“Creatives have a unique ability to shape public perception and inspire action,” Paul Gee stated in an interview with Graphic Showbiz on November 4, 2024. “By empowering the industry with adequate financial resources, the government can help us deliver impactful messages on the dangers of galamsey. This approach can create jobs and educate communities directly affected by these practices.”
The call for creative involvement follows recent protests against galamsey, including a three-day demonstration in Accra by youth groups and an Environmental Prayer Protest Walk organized by the Catholic Church’s Accra Diocese. However, Paul Gee argued that these protests are ineffective when the people engaged in galamsey activities, often unaware of the long-term consequences, live outside the capital.
He recalled how, in the 1970s, Ghana used creative media to effectively educate the public when switching to the metric system and changing traffic directions. He envisions a similar approach now, with over 400 local filmmakers using galamsey sites as locations to emphasize the environmental harm of illegal mining.
Paul Gee also criticized the government’s reliance on military force to counteract galamsey, describing it as an “unnecessary and costly” strategy that fails to address the root causes of unemployment, which often drives individuals to illegal mining. Instead, he suggests that providing alternative livelihoods through the creative industry would help keep former miners from resorting to other illegal activities.
With over 20 years of experience in Ghana’s music and film industries, Paul Gee has collaborated with top artists like Ernest Opoku and produced acclaimed movies such as Ama Ghana, Okomfo Anokye, and Mallam Issah. His leadership roles with the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) and the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Ghana (ARSOG) have established him as an influential figure.
He added that his proposal has garnered support from various creative bodies, including the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) and the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), who all stand with him in urging the government to fund the fight against galamsey through the arts.
