A recent study by Solidaridad West Africa and the Minerals Commission has revealed that illegal mining is increasingly drawing schoolchildren from classrooms into hazardous labour. The research found children aged 10 to 17 years engaged in dangerous activities at abandoned and unregulated mining sites in parts of the Eastern Region.
The study, conducted in April 2026, focused on Pameng, Asamang, Akwaboaso, and Abrenya in the Atiwa West District. It highlighted that these children face exposure to unsafe mining pits, heavy machinery, mercury, and other toxic chemicals. This environment puts their health, safety, and future at severe risk.
This trend fits into a broader narrative of economic challenges and resource exploitation in Ghana. The lure of immediate income from illegal mining, locally known as 'galamsey', often overshadows the long-term benefits of education. This situation exacerbates existing socio-economic disparities and undermines efforts to achieve universal primary education.
Poverty remains a major driver of child labour, according to the study. However, social and behavioural factors also contribute significantly. These include peer pressure, the desire for quick income, and weak parental supervision. Some children reportedly earn between GHS 100 and GHS 1,000 on productive days, depending on the work and access to mining proceeds.
A 16-year-old participant in the study reported earning up to GHS 1,000 daily supervising ore washing at his father’s mining site. This demonstrates the significant financial returns that can encourage children and families to prioritise immediate income over schooling. Such choices often result in interrupted education and reduced opportunities later in life.
The Atiwa West District Education Directorate has expressed deep concern over the impact of illegal mining on school attendance and enrolment. Officials note that children’s involvement in mining is prevalent across communities in the district. Some parents benefit directly from income generated by their children, which contributes to increased absenteeism and school dropouts.
This situation fosters a growing perception that immediate financial gains are more valuable than education. The Directorate also links the broader challenges associated with illegal mining to other social problems. These include drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and prostitution, creating a complex web of societal issues.
Mr. John Kwasi Osafo, the District Director of Education for Atiwa West, warned about the long-term consequences. He stated that children who abandon school for mining risk being trapped in low-paying and hazardous work. This limits their potential and hinders the future development of their communities.
Solidaridad supported the Gender Unit of the Minerals Commission in 2023 to develop a Child Labour Eradication Framework for Ghana’s small-scale gold mining sector. The two organisations are now piloting an incentive-based child labour-free community initiative in Atiwa West. This initiative aims to promote school attendance and retention.
Ms. Monalynn Anokye-Bempah, Principal Officer at the Gender Unit of the Minerals Commission, highlighted the collaboration's goals. It seeks to strengthen child protection systems, develop sustainable livelihood alternatives, and reward communities that maintain child labour-free standards. This holistic approach addresses both the symptoms and root causes of child labour.
Ms. Rosemary Addico, Programme Manager for Responsible Gold at Solidaridad, emphasised that ending child labour requires more than just enforcement. She stressed the need for collaborative, community-led solutions. These solutions must address the social and economic factors that expose children to mining activities. The pilot will support recommendations under the Child Labour Eradication Framework, including establishing Community Child Protection Committees to safeguard children from child labour. This multi-faceted strategy is crucial for protecting Ghana's youth and ensuring their educational future.