Paul Adjei, better known in the entertainment world as Paul Gee, is calling on the Ghanaian government to allocate GH₵2 billion ($121.6 million) to the creative arts industry as a means to effectively combat illegal mining, or galamsey.
The renowned Kumawood movie producer believes that the key to addressing this issue lies in leveraging the power of movies, music, and other forms of creative expression.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on November 4, 2024, Paul Gee explained that the GH₵2 billion would be used to produce impactful anti-galamsey content such as documentaries, films, and songs that would educate the public about the environmental and social consequences of illegal mining.
He emphasized that such an initiative could also create job opportunities in the creative sector, which would help bridge the country’s unemployment gap.
“I’ve always said that creatives have the power to shape minds and inspire action,” Paul Gee said. “I, therefore, suggest that the government allocate GH₵2 billion to us to produce anti-galamsey content, create jobs, and educate affected communities.”
While Paul Gee didn’t specify exactly how he arrived at the GH₵2 billion figure, he is confident that this investment would have a meaningful impact.
He pointed out that having celebrities like actress Nana Ama McBrown and prominent figures in the creative arts, including himself, working together on documentaries and projects, would bring greater attention to the dangers of galamsey.
Paul Gee also remarked on the limitations of past efforts to curb illegal mining, including the recent protests against galamsey in Accra.
He argued that these demonstrations were not reaching the right people, especially those who are actively engaged in galamsey in remote areas outside the capital.
According to him, it is the creative industry’s role to engage these individuals and educate them on the destructive effects of their actions.
“This is not the first time creatives have been used to conscientize the populace. This creative approach can educate and empower those involved, encouraging them to abandon harmful practices,” Paul Gee noted.
“Imagine the over 400 Ghanaian film producers using galamsey sites as movie locations, raising awareness about the devastating effects of illegal mining. This is not just about entertainment; it’s about using our craft to drive social change.”
The producer also compared this strategy to the campaigns run in the 1970s when Ghana introduced the metric system and switched to driving on the right.
He pointed out that the creative industry played a significant role in educating the public about these changes through TV shows, music, and dramas.
While Paul Gee acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the government to use military force to combat galamsey, he criticized it as a “costly” and “financially burdensome” strategy.
He argued that this approach has not been effective and warned that simply shutting down galamsey operations without providing alternative livelihoods would push many of the involved individuals into other illegal activities such as armed robbery.
“Previous measures have failed. This galamsey fight isn’t about the use of brute force. The truth is that most of these galamseyers are unemployed, so if we stop them from doing galamsey, they will resort to armed robbery and other vices,” he said.
“We need to create jobs for them and the question is: ‘How are we going to do that?’ This is why I’m proposing that the government support us financially. \
Let’s use musicians, actors, and film producers to produce documentaries and songs highlighting galamsey’s devastating effects.”
With a career spanning over two decades, Paul Gee has become a significant figure in Ghana’s entertainment industry.
He has produced popular movies such as Ama Ghana, Okomfo Anokye, and Mallam Issah, and has worked with top artists in the country.
In addition to his work as a producer, Paul Gee has served in leadership roles within the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) and the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Ghana (ARSOG), and has received support from organizations like the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) and the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) for his proposal.
Through this call to action, Paul Gee is urging the government to harness the power of the creative industry in the fight against galamsey, a growing menace that threatens the nation’s environment and economy.
