Discovery Channel's Jungle Gold quickly leaves after intense government anger inside Ghana over the 'illegal miners'.

The Jungle Gold production, a reality show from Discovery Networks shown on the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) filmed in Ghana, has decided to immediately pack up and leave the area.

This development follows controversy which has erupted after the Ghana government said it is now on a manhunt for the show's two stars Scott Lomu and George Wright because of alleged "severe brutalities" that is seen in Jungle Gold, because small scale mining by "non-Ghanaians are illegal" and because the Ghana government feels Jungle Gold "portrays Ghana in a negative light".

Jungle Gold started broadcasting across Africa on MultiChoice's DStv from April after it was also shown in the United States and the reality show was renewed for a second season.

In it cameras follow them in Africa's second largest gold-producing country, looking for gold close to the Mirim river on an 80 acre claim.

Ghana's minister for lands and natural resources, Inusah Fuseini spoke on a Ghana radio programme saying that Jungle Gold "portrays Ghana as a jungle, where no laws exists and where people can come and act with impunity, and that we don't regulate mining in the country."

Inusah Fuseini said that regarding small scale mining "no foreign national is allowed by the minerals and mining law to engage in this" and that "people who are non-Ghanaian have no business in engaging in small scale mining and to take the opportunity to film this in activities which shows Ghana in a negative light."

The comments from the Ghanaian government has instantly placed Discovery and the Jungle Gold production under immense pressure with fears for the safety of Scott Lomu, George Wright and the production crew.

A Discovery spokesperson tells TV with Thinus that "Discovery was completing its second season of shooting at an unrelated mine when our cast and crew were made aware of some events and media attention which we felt put them at risk."

Discovery says "all cast and crew members have left the area."

It's not clear at this stage whether Discovery and the production team secured the necessary permits, documents and permission for the reality stars to commence what Ghana considers "small scale mining", and whether all the relevant Ghanaian governmental departments gave permission for it to be filmed.

Jungle Gold reality stars on the Discovery Channel to be tracked down and arrested for 'illegal mining; Ghana furious over negative portrayal.

The reality stars of Jungle Gold on the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) face fines, arrest and even possible imprisonment over charges of alleged brutality and illegal mining in Ghana, with the Ghanaian government which now wants to see Scott Lomu and George Wright apprehended and arrested.

The new reality show Jungle Gold started broadcasting across Africa on MultiChoice's DStv from the beginning of April with a growing scandal which has now erupted around the American TV production filmed on African soil.

After seeing the show, viewers, local media and authorities in Ghana are in uproar. The government in the West African country is livid over what it describes as "severe brutalities" perpetrated by the "illegal miners".

With controversy growing around this Discovery Networks show, the Ghanaian government now plans to track down Scott Lomu and George Wright who've been mining in Romaso in the Ashanti region in the West African country "hoping that they are still there".

According to the Ghanaian government it's illegal for foreigners to engage in the type of small scale mining Scott Lomu and George Wright are seen doing in the reality show.

Jungle Gold was renewed for a second season, and the scandal which has now erupted places a question mark behind the future of the show. Besides other alleged contravensions, according to the government a local Ghanaian is seen in Jungle Gold being strangled until he passed out.

Speaking on radio in Ghana, Ghana's minister for lands and natural resources, Inusah Fuseini said "my attention was drawn to it by many people when it was aired."

Inusah Fuseini said on a Ghana radio news programme that the government is now looking into how the Discovery Networks show came to be filmed in Ghana and that there's big concerns. "It portrays Ghana as a jungle, where no laws exists and where people can come and act with impunity, and that we don't regulate mining in the country."

"It is not what is happening in reality in Ghana," he said. "It portrays Ghana as a lawless country that you can come to and do whatever you want." Inusah Fuseini said there is a possibility that the Discovery "documentary" possibly did get the necessary approval to film the small scale mining operation.

"No foreign national is allowed by the minerals and mining law to engage in this. We seek the collaboration of all stakeholders to help us with this. People who are non-Ghanaian have no business in engaging in small scale mining and to take the opportunity to film this in activities which shows Ghana in a negative light," said Inusah Fuseni.

I've made a media enquiry to Discovery Networks International (DNI) and await a response to questions regarding Jungle Gold and the developing situation regarding the production in Ghana.

UPDATE Tuesday 14 May 17:00 - A Discovery spokesperson has come back to me with a response saying that the Jungle Gold production team has now left the area.

"Discovery was completing its second season of shooting at an unrelated mine when our cast and crew were made aware of some events and media attention which we felt put them at risk. All cast and crew members have left the area."

IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE. Jungle Gold coming to The Discovery Channel from Monday 1 April at 21:25.

The new reality show Jungle Gold with Scott Lomu and George Wright is set to start on The Discovery Channel (DStv 121) on Monday 1 April at 21:25.

Deep in the jungles of Ghana, Scott Lomu and George Wright are looking for gold in this brand-new reality show. Five years ago both were high-flying real estate agents but then they lost everything when America's housing bubble burst in 2008.

Now they've gone on a daring, what most would call a "gamble" to get their fortunes back - they've left Amerca and travelled to the jungles of Ghana in West Africa, looking for gold in the continent's second largest gold-producing country.

In this African country with its vast reserves of gold in the rich ground, even amateur miners and prospectors can strike it very, very rich in an instant. But it's dangerous terrain, a dangerous environment and filled with some dangerous people and animals.

The guys have purchased an 80 acre claim close to the Mirim river and now they want to find gold. What they are going to discover is that it's more important to stay alive.

Finding gold, getting it out of the ground and staying out of danger in the heart of the Ghana jungle is going to become their big challenge as they struggle with mechanical difficulties, territory disputes and hostile people, deadly competition and the jungle itself which isn't willing to let go of its biggest treasure.

How are they going to deal with armed neighbours, broken roads, roadblocks manned by Ghanaian gangs as well as shady and ruthless gold buyers?