OAfrica, a renowned Ghanaian charity, and investigative journalism outlet Tiger Eye have unveiled a compelling documentary shedding light on the alarming issue of child abuse within the illegal mining practice known as galamsey.
The film also exposes the critical effects of mercury, with an urgent call for awareness and action.
The documentary, presented at an event attended by Irchad Razaaly, Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana and representatives of various social groups, highlights the vulnerability of children, predominantly aged between 9 to 15 years, engaged in galamsey.
Shockingly, some children revealed they have been part of the hazardous practice since the tender age of 12.
Many children explained their involvement in galamsey as a result of the absence of job opportunities in their communities, leaving them with no option but to engage in the dangerous work.
Some also expressed a desire to attend school but cited financial constraints as the driving force behind their involvement in galamsey.
One of the distressing aspects brought to light is the prevalent use of substances like tramadol and cocaine by the young miners to cope with the demanding physical labour. In the footage, a child admits to earning between Ghc 300-400 daily from galamsey.
A victim interviewed in the documentary shared harrowing experiences, including near-death encounters with mercury and witnessing friends perish due to the hazardous conditions. He passionately advocates for immediate measures and policies to deter children from engaging in galamsey.
Francis Anipa, Chief Social Worker with OAfrica, expressed deep concern over the detrimental effects of galamsey, stating, “We don’t have a future in this country if our environment is being destroyed, and the people we look up to build the country are also being destroyed. We pretend to mention and solve the issues.”
OAfrica, through its #EndChildLabourInGalamsey program, aims to raise awareness about the detrimental impact of galamsey on children’s health and development.
The program also advocates for stricter regulations to mitigate mercury usage in galamsey operations, ensuring the protection of children. Community empowerment is a key focus, encouraging locals to resist and report instances of galamsey.
In the context of Ghana’s commitment under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, ratified in 2017, the nation pledged to train healthcare workers on the effects of mercury, reduce its use in small-scale gold mining, promote mercury-free methods, and control the trade in mercury
