Children at certain illegal mining sites in the Western Region are involved in labor, drug use, prostitution, and exposure to mercury as they strive to make ends meet.
A brief documentary conducted by OAfrica, a charitable organization, in collaboration with Tiger Eye PI, sheds light on the harrowing experiences of children engaged in illegal mining.
The documentary exposes the severe health risks, restricted educational opportunities, and human rights violations that these children endure.
In a statement issued by OAfrica following the broadcast of the five-minute documentary, it emphasized, “each mine site experiences ecological destruction, human rights abuse, illegal drugs, human trafficking and prostitution for underage children.”
It stated that the State ought to endeavor to accomplish the goals of completely formalizing the small-scale mining industry and doing away with child labor in Galamsey.
“Our children are opting out of school. Working in the mines promises easy and quick money and that is keeping children as young as nine years out of school,” OAfrica said.
Most children at galamsey sites are consistently exposed to mercury, a substance that inflicts irreversible damage to their central nervous systems.
While the exact number of individuals involved in galamsey nationwide remains unknown, estimates range from 20,000 to 50,000. The Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector is reported to engage around one million people, with an additional estimated 4.5 million dependents.
OAfrica has urged the state to implement its 2020 National Action Plan, specifically targeting the reduction of mercury use in the ASM sector.
“Under the Minamata Convention on mercury, Ghana ratified it in 2017 and has committed to train healthcare workers on the effects of mercury, reduce mercury use in Small-scale gold mining, promote mercury-free methods and control the trade in mercury,” it said.
‘These actions ought to be implemented urgently to save our younger generation,” OAfrica said.
OAfrica is Ghanaian charity organisation that empowers children and young adults in need of care protection.