Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey continues to have an adverse effect on the society with an extreme danger to education in some mining communities.
It has been discovered that about 75 percent of children of school going age in the Asutifi North and South districts of the Brong Ahafo Region, are engaged in illegal gold mining at the expense of going to school.
A survey conducted by the Asutifi District Social Welfare Department, revealed an alarming number of children in the galamsey business, with most of them abandoning classes for the illegal business.
The details of the survey were made known at a sensitization forum on Child Labour Hwidiem, at the weekend.
According to the survey, effects by the Asutifi North and South Distinct Assemblies as well as the Kenyasi and Hwidiem traditional councils, to control the situation, had not been successful.
Mr. Peter Adu, Asutifi District Social Welfare officer, addressing the forum, expressed concern about the situation, and called for concerted effort to address the problems.
He advised parents against pushing their wards into child labour, but rather to invest in their education to secure a better future for them.
He reminded parents of the Children�s Act 1998, Act 560 which calls for the protection of children.
Mr. James Adu Frimpong, Goaso District Manager of the Quality Control unit of COCOBOD called for a strict enforcement of laws against child Labour, to protect the right of children.
Mr. Jonathan Nayinah, District Extension Coordinator of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Control Unit, said children of school going age are needed in school and not on the form or in mining activities.
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