Viral Video Exposes Child Labor in Ghana’s Illegal Mining Operations, Sparks National Outrage
A newly surfaced video showing children believed to be between the ages of 8 and 10, engaging in illegal mining operations, or “galamsey,” has sparked widespread concern and criticism in Ghana. The footage, which went viral on X (formerly Twitter), depicts the children working at a mining site, loading sand into machinery while operating perilously close to deep pits.
The video, which has intensified the national conversation surrounding illegal mining, shows one child, apparently the leader of the group, overseeing the process and boasting that they have successfully extracted 50 karats of gold.
“I’m the one handling the load. We even got 50 karats of gold through galamsey,” the child declares as the group continues its work.
The incident has rekindled concerns about child labor and the environmental destruction associated with galamsey, with many calling for urgent intervention. The reappearance of children in these illegal activities comes amid warnings from the Ghana Water Company Limited about the severe impact of mining on water supplies in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding areas.
Illegal mining has heavily polluted the River Pra, contributing to a water crisis that threatens entire communities.
In response to the growing crisis, Professor Stephen Adei, former Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a national emergency on galamsey.
Speaking during a lecture in Accra, Prof Adei urged the government to take immediate action, emphasizing the “gargantuan environmental degradation” caused by illegal mining and the need for emergency powers to tackle the issue.
The problem of child labor in galamsey has also been highlighted by international organizations. In a report published in May 2023, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) detailed the involvement of children as young as 10 in illegal mining activities across multiple regions of Ghana.
The report pointed to the hazardous conditions these children face, including exposure to dangerous chemicals.
The release of the recent video has reignited calls for stricter enforcement and a more robust policy response to the galamsey crisis, which continues to pose significant risks to public health, the environment, and vulnerable populations.
