In parts of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality in the Western North Region, particularly Asawinso and Manse, an alarming number of school children have abandoned the classroom to engage in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey. The disturbing trend is raising concerns among education advocates, parents, and local observers who say the future of these children is being sold for short-term monetary gain.
Investigations by the Daily Times Newspaper reveal that children as young as 10 years old are frequently seen at various illegal mining sites in these communities, either working directly in the pits or carrying out supportive tasks for small-scale miners. Many of them admit they dropped out of school in search of quick money to support their families or satisfy personal needs.
At Manse, a community hard-hit by poverty and youth unemployment, the situation is particularly worrying. Some of the children told our reporters that they earn between GH¢20 and GH¢50 a day from galamsey work—an amount they say far exceeds any support they receive at home or in school. “Why should I go to school when I can make money today?” a 13-year-old boy asked, his hands stained with mud and mercury.
Teachers in the affected areas say classroom attendance has sharply declined over the past year. One teacher lamented that more than half of his class is usually absent on any given day. “You teach five children in a class that’s supposed to have 20 or more. The rest are either at home or at the galamsey sites,” he said.
The lack of action from authorities has worsened the situation. Local education officials, the Municipal Assembly, and even law enforcement agencies have all been accused of looking away while the children risk their health and lives in mining pits. “It’s as if no one cares anymore. We’re losing a generation,” a worried parent said.
Community leaders are divided on the issue. While some condemn the practice and call for urgent intervention, others argue that the children are simply responding to economic hardship. “What job opportunities do they have? If you can’t feed your family, even children must hustle,” a local assembly member who spoke on condition of anonymity stated.
Health and environmental risks also loom large. Medical personnel in the area have warned about increased cases of respiratory infections and mercury poisoning among children involved in galamsey. “Many of these children are exposed to toxic chemicals without protection. The long-term impact on their health is devastating,” said a nurse at the Asawinso Health Centre.
Despite public outcry, efforts by the media and other stakeholders to raise awareness and return the children to school have yielded limited results. In most cases, the lure of quick money easily outweighs the promise of future success through education. “We can’t compete with galamsey money. Until the state enforces the law and provides alternatives, this will continue,” said a concerned resident.
Residents are calling on the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and the Minerals Commission to step in with a coordinated response. They are also urging the Municipal Chief Executive to prioritize child protection and education in community development planning. Until then, the children of Asawinso and Manse remain trapped between the dreams of education and the reality of survival in the galamsey pits.
