A former illegal miner has issued a strong warning to individuals considering venturing into galamsey, describing the activity as a dangerous and life-threatening operation hidden behind promises of quick money. Sharing his personal experience, the man revealed that he abandoned galamsey after witnessing the dark and violent realities that exist within many illegal mining sites.
According to him, outsiders who enter certain galamsey communities hoping to join operations can become easy targets, alleging that some are attacked or even killed, with their deaths falsely explained as accidental drownings. He recounted a chilling experience in which he allegedly witnessed the murder of a young boy during a late-night operation—an incident he says changed his life forever and forced him to walk away from the trade.
His testimony adds to growing concerns about the dangers surrounding illegal mining, not only to the environment but also to human lives. He is now urging young people to avoid galamsey entirely and instead focus on learning a trade or skill that can provide a safer and more sustainable future.
