65% of teens mining communities abandon school for gold

A new study by Child Rights International (CRI) has revealed a distressing trend in Ghana’s mining communities: only 35% of teenagers are currently enrolled in school, as children increasingly abandon classrooms for illegal mining sites.
The report, titled “The Hidden Toll of Illegal Mining on Children in Ghana”, sheds light on how illegal mining—commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’—is robbing children not only of their right to education, but also of their health, safety, and future. It was presented at a press conference in Accra by Mr. Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of CRI.

Teenagers abandoning school for gold
According to the study, just 18 per cent of children aged 13 to 14 years in mining communities are currently in school, while only 17 per cent of those aged 15 to 17 are enrolled.
These shockingly low figures contrast sharply with national averages and expose a worrying dropout trend among school-aged children living near illegal mining sites.
Mr. Appiah attributed the declining school attendance to the perceived financial benefits of illegal mining, which lure many children away from education.
“It is clear that most young children are dropping out of school to engage in small-scale mining activities,” he said.
“The lure of fast money is proving too strong for many children and their families to ignore.”

Young children slightly better off—but still lagging
The situation, while slightly improved for younger children, remains troubling.
The report found that 65% of children aged 5 to 12 years in mining communities are enrolled in school.
However, this still pales in comparison to non-mining communities, where school enrollment for the same age group is as high as 92%.

“The disparity is a reflection of the corrosive impact illegal mining is having on the social fabric of affected communities,” Mr. Appiah noted.

A call for urgent policy action
In response to the findings, the report makes a strong case for government intervention.
It recommends that the Government of Ghana consider abolishing community mining altogether, given its harmful impact on education in affected areas.
It further urges the Minerals Commission and the Gold Board to design a sustainability programme that includes safeguards for children’s educational rights in mining zones.
The study also calls for the strict enforcement of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure that no child is denied access to education, regardless of where they live.

Health and safety also under threat
The report’s scope extends beyond education. It also examined how illegal mining is impacting children’s health, personal safety, and access to clean water.
In many communities, children are exposed to hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which are commonly used in mining processes.
Some children, the report noted, suffer from respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, and waterborne infections due to environmental contamination.

Wide regional coverage and methodology
The research was conducted over a one-year period between 2023 and 2024 across the Ashanti, Western, Central, Eastern, and Western North regions—areas known for both legal and illegal mining activities.
The study sampled more than 2,000 households and interviewed 6,000 children, 57% of whom were male and 43% female.
Mr. Appiah concluded by saying that the findings must serve as a wake-up call.
“We must act now to protect the future of these children. If nothing is done, we risk raising a generation who will be trapped in a cycle of poverty, exploitation, and lost opportunities.”
As illegal mining continues to pose serious threats to Ghana’s environment and economy, its hidden toll on children may be the most devastating consequence yet—one that calls for swift and decisive action.