Child Rights International Ghana (CRIG) has released new findings that highlight the devastating impact of mining—especially illegal mining (galamsey)—on children in several parts of the country.
Executive Director of CRIG, Bright Appiah, speaking to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), revealed alarming trends in education, child labour, health, and exploitation linked to mining communities in six regions.
The research, which covered over 2,162 households and involved more than 6,000 children in Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Western, Western North, and Bono regions, presents a stark picture of how mining is reshaping childhood in affected areas.
Education Crisis in Mining Zones
According to CRIG’s data, average school enrollment in non-mining areas remains close to the national rate of 92–93%. However, in mining zones, enrollment drastically falls to between 60% and 62%. The decline becomes even more severe among older children: enrollment for those aged 13–14 drops to 18%, and further down to just 17% for ages 15–17.
Appiah attributes this trend to the growing allure of illegal mining, where children are earning daily wages between GHC 100 and GHC 150—equating to monthly incomes of about GHC 2,800, which significantly surpasses the average household income in mining areas, reported at just GHC 877.90.
“This situation creates a dangerous economic incentive,” Appiah warned. “As children grow older, the promise of quick money draws them out of school and into illegal mining pits.”
Children Supporting Families with Mining Earnings
The report also finds that many children aren’t just working for personal gain. Some 4.6% of respondents said they use their mining earnings to care for themselves, 6.6% support both themselves and their parents, and 8.6% said they provide for their grandparents. The latter is particularly common, as many children in mining areas live with extended family rather than their biological parents.
Health and Exploitation Risks
On the health front, interviews with hospital managers in mining communities identified respiratory illnesses, particularly lung conditions, as the most commonly reported health issues among children. These were also confirmed by the children themselves during interviews.
Moreover, the report underscores a rise in child labour and sexual exploitation, driven by the same economic desperation that pulls children into mining work.
Policy Recommendations and Call to Action
To address these serious concerns, CRIG is urging the government to implement a robust and enforceable child protection policy that specifically targets mining communities. Appiah emphasized the importance of enforcing the constitutional provision for free compulsory basic education, calling for legislation that would compel the reintegration of affected children into schools.
CRIG is also advocating for the abolition of community-issued mining licenses, citing their ineffectiveness and the unequal distribution of royalties. “These licenses are not benefiting the communities—they only serve a select few,” Appiah stressed.
Lastly, with government plans to centralize gold purchasing, CRIG recommends integrating sustainability and social responsibility components into procurement laws. This would require buyers and producers to contribute to the social recovery of children affected by mining activities.
“Any mining framework moving forward must think about children,” Appiah concluded. “Their lives, health, and future must be safeguarded as part of Ghana’s development priorities.”
Listen to Bright Appiah in the attached audio clip below:
