Imagine what GH¢17,900 could do for you. This hefty sum, easily obtained from a tiny piece of gold, explains the enduring appeal of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, despite its devastating impact on Ghana's Western Region.

During a recent visit to Wassa Akropong, a town seemingly consumed by or affected by galamsey, GhanaWeb investigated the mechanics of this illicit trade.

In the documentary titled "The Gold Market That Fuels Gold," GhanaWeb journalist Etsey Atisu recounted a revealing encounter in a local gold shop.

He watched as a young man, barely in his twenties, entered to sell a small gold nugget.

Shockingly, no questions were asked about the gold's origin, nor was any license verification attempted.

The sole concern was the gold's authenticity.

Once confirmed, the buyer simply handed over GH¢17,900 in exchange for the piece.

Watch the full documentary to uncover more shocking revelations on GhanaWeb TV below:





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