Growing Number of School Children in Sefwi Juaboso Abandoning Classrooms for Galamsey Activities – Education Director Raises Alarm
The Deputy Director of Education for the Sefwi Juaboso District, Eric Agyare Ansah, has raised serious concern over a rising trend of school-going children deserting classrooms to engage in illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) activities.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Agyare Ansah revealed that the lure of quick money from galamsey sites has become the single most significant factor pulling pupils away from education in several communities across the district. Many children reportedly leave school during instructional hours to visit mining pits, prioritizing short-term financial gains over long-term learning.
“This shift has led to a drastic drop in school enrolment in parts of the Juaboso district,” he stated. “The authorities have been informed, and we expect a decisive response to curb this issue.”
The Deputy Director described the situation as a persistent and deeply worrying challenge for the local education sector, with the potential to undermine years of progress in access to basic education and literacy in the area.
Confirming the report, the Juaboso District Chief Executive, Hon. Alexander Adu Quist, acknowledged the severity of the problem and disclosed that the District Assembly, in collaboration with local assembly members, traditional authorities, and community leaders, is actively implementing measures to reverse the trend.
“We are working closely with stakeholders to address this menace,” the DCE said. “We also call on parents and guardians to take an active role in supporting these efforts and ensuring their children remain in school rather than being drawn into galamsey.”
The development highlights the broader socio-economic impact of illegal mining in Ghana, where the promise of immediate income continues to compete with the long-term benefits of education — particularly in rural and mining-adjacent communities. Authorities have repeatedly warned that galamsey not only destroys farmlands, water bodies, and forests but also robs future generations of proper schooling and opportunities.
The Ghana Education Service (GES), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and child protection agencies have intensified campaigns in galamsey-prone districts to sensitise parents, pupils, and communities on the dangers of child labour in mining and the importance of staying in school. Calls are growing for stronger enforcement of child labour laws, alternative livelihood support for families, and increased security presence to deter underage involvement in mining sites.
As the 2026 academic year progresses, stakeholders in Sefwi Juaboso and similar districts are watching closely to see whether coordinated interventions can successfully stem the tide and keep children in classrooms rather than on mining concessions.
