The Director of Education for the Ellembelle District, Wilfred Katey Adoduadji, has expressed deep concern over the detrimental effects of illegal mining, or “galamsey,” on education in the area. Speaking at the Kikam-Asemko Kundum Festival, Adoduadji highlighted how rampant mining activities are pulling students away from school, with some even skipping their end-of-term exams to work at mining sites.
Adoduadji explained that some students have created makeshift systems to juggle both school and mining, while others outright refuse to attend exams, a situation that poses a severe threat to their academic progress. Illegal mining has long been a significant issue in Ghana, but its growing impact on school-going children is particularly alarming.
At the festival, Adoduadji stressed the urgent need for community action, warning that children are being lured away from education by the promise of quick money. This, he said, traps them in a cycle of hazardous labor that not only endangers their health but also deprives them of critical skills for future success.
He urged local leaders and the wider community to unite in addressing the negative consequences of illegal mining, especially when it involves children. “Together, we can secure a brighter future for these kids,” he emphasized.
Adoduadji revealed that students involved in illegal mining have implemented a shift system, attending school part-time while dedicating other days to mining. In some cases, groups of children alternate between school and mining, with ten students attending school one day and another ten staying home the next. This irregular attendance, he said, is severely affecting academic performance.
In response, the District Chief Executive of Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzo, advocated for more responsible mining practices. During the event, he presented a cheque for GHC 100,000 to the Kikam community and 13 other communities as part of their share of a community mining project. This initiative, he said, aims to ensure that local residents benefit from regulated, responsible mining practices, which can mitigate the negative impact of illegal mining, particularly on the youth.
He called on chiefs to play an active role in protecting the land from illegal mining operations, ensuring that the community continues to benefit from regulated mining practices.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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