THE HABIT OF CHOOSING GALAMSEY OVER SCHOOL AND ITS EFFECTS ON GHANA'S EDUCATION

Introduction / Preamble

The illegal mining activity to extract gold and other mineral resources, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’ is on the increase and growing in alarming proportion in Ghana. Those who engage in such acts have been identified as young people, sometimes resident in and around the communities and towns in which the typically mining companies are based; thus, making their actions, illegal. Under Ghana’s ‘illegal mining law’, it is an offence for those who engage in such activities to dig on land granted to mining companies as concession.

Most young people, including children, are notable for engaging in such acts with the idea of getting “quick money”. The men are known to be doing the digging while the children are also seen at the pit running errands.

Most of the time, they stand the risk of involvement in serious accidents and exposed to mercury poisoning emanating from the crude processing method used for extracting the ore.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

Misplaced priority

Apart from the negative effects of ‘galamsey’ activities on the lives of the youth involved in this illegal activity, it also poses more negative effects on our natural resources, including land and water bodies across the country. The idea of ‘getting rich quick’ has been the motivation behind the children engaging in the illegal mining activities in these communities. Most of these young people do not place value in education; thus, risking their lives to be involved in it.

Report of findings on 'Galamsey' among the youth

The Daily Guide, published a report with the headline: “Pupils Abandon School For Galamsey”. It revealed that, ‘galamsey’ has become the biggest factor hindering children of school-going age from enjoying the right to education. Many of these children abandoned classrooms for full-scale illegal mining activities with the expectation of making ‘quick money’ despite the risks involved.

Furthermore, the enrollment figures in most basic schools in mining communities according to the report, were sharply on the decrease because, most pupils had suspended their plans to pursue formal education for ‘cash’. These children, ignore the negative impact of this illegal mining activity.

‘Danger ‘ looming, ahead!
It might interest us to know that, the existence of the illegal mining activities has reached a stage, where even potential ‘BECE candidates’ , who are about writing examinations that will guarantee their graduation into secondary school, abandon the exams for ‘galamsey’. Out of 253 who registered for the examination in recent times, only 248 candidates were present as the four male students were said to have abandoned school to join their colleagues at the ‘Galamsey’ sites.

It is ironically, a paradox to note that, while some young people wish and dream to become good, responsible and educated leaders of tomorrow in our society, some others, have not yet realized the significance of education; thus, resulting in low attendance in most schools in these mining communities and low participation in educational activities in the mining communities.

Conclusion
In conclusion, one will call on the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education, stakeholders and other non-governmental organizations to organize public education in these mining communities to educate the young people on the need to make education, a priority.

Category:

Education 

Oganisation:

Clevenard

Writer:

Charles Ollivant Akpome

Location:

Ghana