W/R: Due to their participation in Galamsey, the District Education Director, some students cannot write their final exams.

W/R: Due to their participation in Galamsey, the District Education Director, some students cannot write their final exams.

Wilfred Katey Adoduadji, the district education director for Ellembelle, has expressed worry about the detrimental effects of illicit mining on local education.

Speaking during the Kikam-Asemko Kundum Festival, Adoduadji disclosed that widespread illicit mining operations are having a negative impact on student attendance. In order to reconcile school and mining labor, some students have even turned to construct their own improvised systems, he said, while others are refusing to take final exams.

In Ghana, illegal mining is a big problem, especially when it comes to how it affects school-age children.

Mr. Adoduadji brought attention to the concerning problem of kids being seduced away from school to work at mining sites by promises of quick money during the Kikam-Asemko Kundum Festival.

Because it causes youngsters to drop out of school and join a dangerous cycle of work that deprives them of skills necessary for long-term success, this trend is quite alarming.

According to Mr. Wilfred Katey Adoduadji, “illegal mining is widespread throughout Ellembelle, severely impacting school attendance.” Even elementary school pupils are participating in this risky behavior, endangering their health and future, and children are dropping out. Some people are getting sick as a result of their involvement.

As the director of education, I believe it is imperative to address the detrimental effects of illicit mining, particularly when schoolchildren are involved. I implore this community and opinion leaders to heed my message and work together to stop our kids from mining illegally. We can guarantee these children a better future if we work together.

He disclosed that in order to manage their time between mining and school, kids engaged in illicit mining have developed improvised mechanisms. More worrisome, some students are declining to take final exams, which puts their academic futures in even more danger.

It’s shocking to learn that some kids actively participate in Galamsey (illegal mining), which prevents them from writing their final examinations. Others have created a shift system in which some pupils miss two to three days of school each week.

Ten kids in one village go to school one day, and ten more stay at home the following. Academic performance is significantly impacted by this rotational absence. To safeguard our children’s education and wellbeing, this troubling trend demands immediate response. He also said

By giving the Kikam community and 13 other communities a cheque for GHC 100,000 as part of their community mining projects in the area, Ellembelle District Chief Executive Kwasi Bonzo urged responsible mining practices. The goal of these projects is to help locals and lessen the negative effects of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

We’re commemorating responsible mining today and its effects on Ghana and our communities. It gives me great pleasure to give the Kikam chiefs and elders a cheque for 100,000 cedis, which represents their portion of the profits from ethical community mining in Ellembelle.

“The community is still benefiting even though the mining operations aren’t actually located in Kikam. I implore the chiefs to play a crucial part in protecting our territories from illicit mining activities so that we can keep reaping the rewards of ethical mining methods. “I said,” he said.