A research conducted by Good Governance Africa has revealed that small-scale mining activities were affecting school attendance and performance in basic schools in small scale mining areas in the country.
The research findings shared at a forum in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, also show high levels of teenage pregnancy in galamsey communities. Gold mining constitutes Ghana’s second most important export commodity.
Currently, Ghana has the second largest gold deposits in Africa. Estimates show that small-scale mining generates about 30 per cent of the country’s gold exports.
While the current laws and regulations give some formality to small-scale mining, over 70 per cent of those engaged in small-scale mining in Ghana are unlicensed and undocumented.
According to the research conducted by Good Governance Africa, prior to the operations of galamsey activities in galamsey-prone areas in Ghana, the performance and attendance of school children were very high. But for the love of money the students leave the classroom to prospect for gold at ‘galamsey’ sites, the group indicated.
Addressing the media, Lead Researcher and Development Consultant with Good Governance Africa, Dr. Kingsley Arkorful, revealed that students registered for the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) exempted themselves from school to engage in illegal mining activities.
The research also revealed that some primary school children hawk basic commodities at galamsey sites whilst other young boys engage in ‘okada’ operations to transport people around the sites.
At the forum to present the research findings to small-scale miners, chiefs, religious leaders and other interest groups, Dr. Arkorful observed that galamsey activities have taken most of the students from the classroom. Teenage pregnancy, he said, was also high in galamsey areas in the country.
Some small-scale miners in places like Manso-Nkwanta, Jacobu, Datano, Watreso, Agroyesum and Keniago in the Ashanti Region use their largesse to woo innocent school girls into sexual relationships.
The phenomenon has resulted in high teenage pregnancy, giving rise to school dropout among girls. Some members of the small-scale mining association who spoke to a cross-section of journalists in Accra noted that the research findings will help in their quest to disengage minors in mining operations. They also reiterated their commitment to help the government to sanitise the small-scale mining sector.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
