Accra: A study conducted by Child Rights International (CRI) has revealed that only 35 per cent of teenagers living in mining communities are enrolled in school.
According to Ghana News Agency, the research examined the impact of illegal mining activities on children’s education, health, and safety, showing that merely 18 per cent of children aged 13-14 years and 17 per cent of those aged 15-17 years are currently attending school.
The report, titled “The Hidden Toll of Illegal Mining on Children in Ghana,” was presented at a press conference in Accra by Mr Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of CRI. He attributed the low school attendance to the lure of illegal mining, which children perceive as an easy way to earn money. Mr Appiah highlighted that enrollment and retention rates among school children were declining in areas with active mining activities.
He pointed out that enrollment among children aged 5 to 12 years was relatively better but still lacking compared to non-mining communities. While 65 per cent of children within this age group in mining areas are enrolled in school, 92 per cent of their counterparts in non-mining towns attend school.
The report recommended government action to abolish community mining due to its adverse effects on education. It urged the Minerals Commission and the Gold Board to design a sustainability programme to protect the educational rights of children in mining communities. Additionally, it called for the strict enforcement of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy to ensure that all children are enrolled in school.
Beyond education, the study also assessed the effects of illegal mining on children’s rights to health, protection, and access to clean water. Conducted between 2023 and 2024, the research covered the Ashanti, Western, Central, Eastern, and Western North regions. It sampled over 2,000 households and interviewed 6,000 children, with 57 per cent being male and 43 per cent female.
