Kwaku Manu has opened up about a past he insists no longer defines him, recounting how he once took part in illegal small-scale mining before deliberately steering his life in a new direction through filmmaking.
The Ghanaian actor shared the revelation in an interview with Nana Romeo on UTV on January 10, 2026, explaining that his entry into the film industry became the decisive break from galamsey. According to him, registering with a production company and committing to acting slowly erased any interest he once had in mining.
“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.
Looking back, Kwaku Manu described illegal mining as a dangerous pursuit where the lure of quick money often blinds people to the risks around them. He noted that the presence of gold can easily turn volatile when discipline and caution are ignored, sometimes with fatal consequences.
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“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 also shed light on the harsh conditions underground, where excitement and desperation frequently override basic safety practices. Despite knowing how unstable the environment can be, he said some miners still take chances that put their lives at risk.
“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.
The actor added that the relentless chase for money often clouds judgment, making people disregard obvious dangers even when they are fully aware of the possible outcomes.
“I’ve realised that wherever there’s money, blood is always spilled. It’s easy to die if you’re not vigilant,” he shared.
Despite his warnings, Kwaku Manu acknowledged the courage it takes to work in such conditions, describing those who go underground as remarkably brave given the constant threat to their lives.
“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 the illegal nature of the work alone is rarely enough to stop people, as financial reward often outweighs fear or caution.
“We know we’re not supposed to work there, but the money involved motivated us,” Kwaku Manu further stated.
Watch the interview below.
