W/R: The District Education Director notes that some students miss their end-of-term exams because they participate in Galamsey.

Wilfred Katey Adoduadji, the director of education for the Ellembelle District, has expressed worries regarding the detrimental effects of illegal mining on local schooling.

Adoduadji disclosed to an audience during the Kikam-Asemko Kundum Festival that the widespread illicit mining operations are negatively impacting student attendance. He claims that in order to reconcile their studies and their mining jobs, some students have even gone so far as to construct their own improvised systems, and others are simply refusing to take the final exam of the term.

Ghana is quite concerned about illegal mining, especially as it relates to the effects on school-age children.

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

This pattern is extremely worrying because it forces kids to drop out of school and get trapped in a dangerous cycle of work that robs them of the skills they need to succeed in the long run.

“Illegal mining is rampant throughout Ellembelle, severely impacting school attendance,” Mr. Wilfred Katey Adoduadji recounted. Children are quitting school, and even elementary school pupils are involved in this risky behaviour, endangering their future and well-being. Some are becoming ill as a result of their participation.

“As the director of education, I believe it is imperative to address the detrimental effects of illicit mining, particularly in cases where schoolchildren are involved. I implore opinion leaders and the community at large to heed my words of wisdom and work together to keep our kids out of the illicit mining business. We can ensure these kids have a better future if we work together.

He disclosed that pupils engaged in illicit mining had built temporary frameworks to manage their studies and mining activities. What’s even more worrying is that some students are refusing to take final exams, which puts their chances of finishing school at even greater risk.

Remarkably, some kids don’t finish their final exams because they participate actively in Galamsey, an illegal mining operation. Some pupils use a shift system that others have created, missing 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 negatively impacted by this rotational absence. We must act quickly to stop this worrying trend in order to safeguard our kids’ education and wellbeing. He continued

Presenting a GHC 100,000 cheque to the Kikam community and 13 other communities as part of their community mining projects in the area, the District Chief Executive of Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzo, called for responsible mining practices. The projects aim to benefit local residents and lessen the negative impacts of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

We’re honouring responsible mining today and its influence on Ghana and our local communities. I’m overjoyed to give the Kikam chiefs and elders a 100,000 cedi cheque, which represents their portion of the profits from ethical community mining in Ellembelle.

“Although the mining activities aren’t physically located in Kikam, the community is still reaping the rewards. I urge the chiefs to take a vital role in safeguarding our lands against illegal mining operations, ensuring we continue to benefit from responsible mining practices.” He stated.