Reintegrate children in galamsey-prone communities into schools – Panellists urge

To protect children from the harmful impact of illegal mining (galamsey) in various communities across the country, experts have called on District Assemblies to take urgent steps to reintegrate affected children into the formal education system.

According to the panellists, involving children in illegal mining constitutes child labour and abuse, urging District Assemblies, with support from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, to ensure that all affected children are returned to school and given the necessary support to continue their education.

The panelists, included Head of Programmes and Projects, Department of Children, Abena Aprekua Badu-Aboagye, Senior Gender and Legal Officer, Minerals Commission Ghana, Fafanyo Kukubor, Very Rev. Emmanuel Forkuo of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Deputy Director at Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu and Environmental Jouranlist at Multimedia Group, Erastus Asare Donkor.

Event

The discussants made their remarks during the Thriving Child Seminar Series, a quarterly webinar organised by Compassion International Ghana (CIGH), a non-profit organisation, held in Accra on Friday.

The Thriving Child Seminar Series addresses critical issues related to child and youth development. This particular edition formed part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of CIGH.

The event was held under the theme: “The Impact of Illegal Mining on Children and Youth Development in Ghana – The Role of Stakeholders.” It was moderated by celebrated Ghanaian broadcaster, Portia Gabor.

Reintegration

Responding to a question about calls for a national rehabilitation programme to reintegrate affected children, Abena Aprekua Badu-Aboagye emphasized that the responsibility lies primarily with the District Assemblies, which are mandated to provide essential social services for children.

“For me, children are the responsibility of the District Assemblies, even though the Ministry of Gender serves as the overarching body,” she stated.

"They are the ones who have to make sure that children are in school when they are supposed to be in school. They are supposed to provide the social services that children need in their district assembly. 

"So, making sure that children are in school when they are supposed to be in school, have the necessary materials and all the things that children need to go to school is supposed to be done by the district assembly with the help of the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education," she stressed. 

She added that children involved in galamsey are victims of child abuse, and efforts must focus on making such environments undesirable for them. 

"District Assemblies have a key responsibility in this. While initiatives like the teenage mother re-entry program help girls return to school, broader collaboration across ministries and departments is essential, as the Ministry of Gender cannot tackle the issue alone," she added.

Law enforcement

For her part, Fafanyo Kukubor noted that key challenges in regulating illegal mining include weak enforcement and gaps in the legal framework, particularly around the supply chain. 

She said strengthening laws to ensure due diligence such as tracking and isolating minerals obtained through child labor or illegal means—can reduce the market for such gold. 

Additionally, She called for improved enforcement, including better equipping inspectors and local committees to carry out unannounced inspections, formalizing the sector and addressing resource constraints.

"Well, I think to be very honest with you, I feel that laws with relation to the supply chain, because if we are able to cut that off and you have nowhere to take this gold that you've obtained illegally, then it really reduces the problem," she said.

"Also, laws and policies on enforcement ought to be strengthened because in terms of now, when it comes to regulating this sector, there's so much violence attached to it. These people have guns, they have ammunitions, they are emboldened because of it." 

"So enforcement has to be taken to a very next level. That includes equipping these mining inspectors, the child protection committees, the district equipment with the requisite resources to conduct maybe unannounced inspections and things like that," she added.

Role of stakeholders

Very Rev. Emmanuel Forkuo of the Methodist Church, Ghana criticized the lack of real action against illegal mining, calling efforts by agencies ineffective and superficial. 

He argue that existing laws are sufficient but are not being enforced and despite clear legal prohibitions, illegal mining continues openly—sometimes dangerously close to public roads and homes—with no prosecutions. 

He also highlighted tragic consequences, such as deaths and unsafe conditions and questions the inaction of authorities, including the police and social welfare departments.

"I think that all the agencies are playing with galamsey. It's become just a talk show. See, we are treating galamsey as if it's rocket science. There's no solution to it. The solution is staring us in the face," he said.

He continued: "We have enough laws to regulate the sector. The law talks about mining settlements. It says it's a no-go area. You can't mine in your home. 100 meters to a public road, you can't do that. That's what the law says."

"People are mining inches close to main roads at Osino. Full glare of everybody. People are digging beneath holes and yet nobody was prosecuted. What is the general ministry doing about that? Don't they have social welfare departments in that town? They do. What have they done about it? Nothing. So we see it on a daily basis, the gross breaking of our laws and we do nothing about it," he added.

Welcome Address

In a welcome address, the National Director of the CIGH, Kobina Yeboah Okyere noted that the Thriving Child Seminar Series has consistently addressed critical issues affecting children in Ghana, and this edition spotlighted the urgent need for collective action against the effects of galamsey.

He emphasized that illegal mining severely disrupts children's education and exposes them to hazardous conditions.

Citing a report by Child Rights International, he mentioned that only 35 per cent of teenagers in mining communities are enrolled in school, with many dropping out to pursue quick financial gains through mining—jeopardizing their future and health. 

"Illegal mining, often referred to as galamsey, has far-reaching consequences on our society. particularly on our children and youth. Recent studies have highlighted alarming statistics that demand urgent, collective action," he said. 

"The same report further indicates that the lure of quick money from illegal mining is causing a significant number of children to drop out of school. This not only hampers their educational development but also exposes them to hazardous working conditions, with potentially long-term health implications," he said.

Critical role

Mr Okyere added that stakeholders have a critical role in addressing the impact of illegal mining on children by enforcing existing laws, supporting policy reforms, and investing in sustainable livelihoods to reduce economic dependence on galamsey. 

He also mphasized education as a powerful tool for change and reaffirmed CIGH'S commitment to prevention, protection, partnership, promoting education and youth resilience while supporting law enforcement efforts. 

"We believe in building resilience among the youth so they can become agents of change in their own communities. We also believe in supporting law enforcement and policy reform to ensure that children are protected, not just on paper, but in practice."

"Let us make today a turning point. Let this seminar not end with words but with actionable commitments. Let us amplify the voices of children whose futures are at risk and work together to ensure that no child is ever forced to choose survival over education again," he concluded.