A recently surfaced video showing children, believed to be between the ages of 8 and 10, actively participating in illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” has ignited a fresh wave of criticism and concern on social media. The footage has reignited the national conversation about the ongoing galamsey crisis in Ghana.
The viral video, originally shared on X (formerly Twitter), depicts a group of approximately eight children at a mining site, loading sand into a machine while working dangerously close to deep pits. Some of the children are seen digging into the ground, while one child, appearing to act as the leader, is shown loading the sand into a machine.
In a disturbing moment, the young boy, who seems to be directing the group, is overheard proudly stating that they have been involved in mining for some time and have already obtained 50 karats of gold from the illegal operation.
“Why are you covering your face because he’s recording us? Make sure you don’t fall into the pit. I’m the one handling the load. We even got 50 karats of gold through galamsey,” the boy says in the video as the group continues to mine.
The reappearance of children in galamsey activities has further fueled outrage, especially following the Ghana Water Company Limited’s warning about the severe impact of illegal mining on water supply in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding areas. The mining activities have heavily polluted the River Pra, causing a water crisis in these regions.
Amid the growing concerns, Professor Stephen Adei, former Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a national emergency on galamsey. He emphasized that such a declaration would grant the President emergency powers to tackle what he referred to as the “gargantuan environmental degradation” caused by illegal mining.
Professor Adei made these remarks during the 25th-anniversary lecture of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Accra, stressing the urgency of the issue.
The problem of child labor in galamsey has also been highlighted by international organizations. In a May 2023 report, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) revealed alarming statistics, showing that children as young as 10 years old are involved in illegal mining and exposed to hazardous chemicals. The report also pointed to child labor in gold mining and quarrying across several regions of Ghana, including Western, Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Northern, and Upper East Regions.
The recent video has reignited calls for immediate action to address the persistent issue of illegal mining and its devastating effects on the environment, public health, and vulnerable children.
Watch video below:
Source: InsiderGH.com
