The story begins in Jema, a small community in Ghana’s Western North Region, which is caught between the devastation of illegal mining and the urgent need to protect its land and water bodies.
Both young and old have refused to succumb to the lure of financial gain and other short-lived benefits and have decided to take the fight into their own hands with a firm stand against illegal mining.
Led by the chief of the town and a revered Catholic priest, the people of Jema have united to resist any form of mining.
This 30-minute documentary, JAGA: A Community’s Fight Against Illegal Mining, is enriched with a compelling narrative, visuals, and insightful interviews.
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The reporter, Eugenia Akorfa Kumi, masterfully brings the story to life, captivating viewers from start to finish.
Recognized for its impact, the documentary has been shortlisted by the Earth Journalism Network as one of the best environmental stories of 2024 globally.
Eugenia Akorfa Kumi expressed deep gratitude to her former news editor, Bright Nana Amfoh, for the opportunity to cover the story, as well as her cameraman Ebenezer Quaye, whose skill made the work seamless. She also acknowledged visual editor Samuel Adjetey Otchwemah Aryeh, who dedicated sleepless nights to refining the footage, and David Nimo, who designed the documentary’s banner graphic.
She extended her appreciation to Metro TV’s Programmes Manager, Nat Laryea, for providing a platform to broadcast the documentary multiple times, and most importantly, to the people of Jema, especially Rev. Father Dr. Joseph Blay, for their warm hospitality and support during the three days of filming.
If you missed it, watch the full documentary below
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