In the midst of Ghana’s ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis, a mini-documentary has resurfaced, shedding light on the controversial activities of two Americans who ventured into the country’s gold-rich lands.
Titled “Jungle Gold” the documentary features two “broke” Americans identified as George Wright and Scott Lomu, who led a team of 20, including cast and crew members of a Discovery Channel reality show, to mine for gold on Ghanaian soil—illegally.
The duo set their sights on the Romaso claim area in the Ashanti Region, where they hoped to extract an estimated $1.5 million worth of gold. With the first pit measuring 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep, they anticipated the land held at least $187,000 worth of gold.
However, the situation quickly escalated when a local cocoa farmer appeared, claiming ownership of the land and demanding compensation for the damage caused by the mining activities.
The Americans insisted they had already paid a local man, identified as the farmer’s brother-in-law, to mine on the land, which sparked a family dispute over rightful ownership.
It is worth noting that the crew were subsequently haunted by the Ghanaian government while Wright and Lomu were accused of multiple offenses, including murder, leading to their eventual escape from the country.
The “Jungle Gold” episode has reignited discussions about the destructive effects of galamsey, particularly in rural communities, and the complexities of illegal mining involving foreign nationals. The government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining remains a critical issue as Ghana continues to grapple with the environmental and social consequences of galamsey activities.
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