Art for a cause: Ending galamsey

GHANAIAN-BORN US-based abstract artist Kwesi Agyare is calling on the government and civil society organizations to harness the power of visual and performing arts to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking on the Tourism, Arts, and Culture segment of Zed in the Morning, on Zed 101.9FM, Mr Agyare emphasized that art has a unique role to play in promoting socio-cultural education and raising awareness about critical national issues like galamsey, which continues to devastate Ghana’s environment and water bodies.

Agyare passionately advocated for using creative methods to communicate anti-galamsey messages in a way that resonates with the Ghanaian identity. He proposed incorporating Ghanaian cultural symbols, like Adinkra and Kente patterns, into public spaces such as road signs, billboards, and even street crossings to create a visual narrative that speaks directly to citizens.

 He said, “Imagine electric poles wrapped in Adinkra symbols or zebra crossings decorated with Kente patterns—these would not only beautify our surroundings but also serve as a constant reminder of the need to preserve our environment.”

As part of his vision, Agyare suggested organizing art shows and competitions that focus on the theme of stopping galamsey. These events, he believes, would motivate artists to create works that highlight the dangers of illegal mining and inspire collective action. “Let’s challenge ourselves to be creative, to be Ghanaian. Let’s host an art show where every artist creates something about ending galamsey. The winning pieces can be displayed on billboards at galamsey sites and across major cities,” he urged.

Agyare also proposed using wearable art, such as t-shirts printed with anti-galamsey artwork, as part of a broader public awareness campaign. He emphasized the importance of mobilizing artists to take to the streets of Accra and other towns to promote peaceful activism through art, drawing attention to the destructive effects of galamsey on Ghana’s land and water resources.

The issue of galamsey has dominated national discourse in recent weeks, with increased public outcry from citizens, environmentalists, and civil society groups who have joined forces in demanding more decisive action from the government.

Illegal mining continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s ecosystems, contaminating rivers, farmlands, and forests, and posing severe health risks to local communities.

Agyare’s call comes at a critical time when the country is grappling with the complex socio-economic factors that drive illegal mining.

 By utilizing art as a medium of communication, he believes that the anti-galamsey message can be more effectively disseminated across diverse communities, engaging Ghanaians at all levels in the fight to protect the country’s natural resources.

Kwesi Agyare’s proposal to integrate art into the national conversation on galamsey offers a fresh and creative approach to addressing one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges. By leveraging Ghana’s rich cultural heritage through visual and performing arts, the country could inspire a stronger sense of national pride and responsibility toward environmental conservation.

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