Gyedu Blay Ambolley
Highlife legends, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, and Smart Nkansah have appealed to the government to help curb the galamsey menace before it gets out of control.
Appearing as guests on GTV's Spectacle hosted by Hagar Owusu, they shared their thoughts on the Galamsey crisis, highlighting its negative impact on the future generation.
In one voice, they called for immediate action to protect the nation's resources.
Smart Nkansah, who referred to a popular Ghanaian proverb: “This issue is like a sore on a nephew—touching it makes him scream, but ignoring it makes it worse,” explained that while galamsey (illegal mining) employs few, it endangers the nation.
He said he has even composed a song addressing the root causes of this crisis, including the declining value of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Mr. Nkansah blames Ghanaians for the situation because "we are simply lawless and then we turn round to criticize the government for not enforcing the law."
Gyedu Blay Ambolley, on his part, expressed disbelief over the galamsey issue, and asked, “How much money can one really make from galamsey?”
He emphasized that the financial gain is not significant enough to justify the destruction of the environment.
He further highlighted the harmful chemicals used in galamsey, which pollute water bodies, and are crucial for agriculture.
Ambolley was concerned for future generations, who will bear the consequences of these activities.
He also criticized traditional leaders and said chiefs have failed in their role as guardians of the land.
He urged swift action, warning humorously that we are nearing what he calls the "pam pa naa" stage—a point of no return.
Gyedu Blay Ambolley, known as the father of Hiplife, revolutionized Ghanaian music by blending highlife with jazz and Afrobeat.
Smart Nkansah, is also a key figure in traditional highlife, who played with iconic bands like Sweet Talks.
These two highlife greats have influenced the sound of modern Ghanaian music.
