The writer
By Isaac Nyarko Antwi
Ghana has witnessed in recent years the devastating impact of illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey. Illegal mining has sparked debates, and generated many reactions among the entire populace in Ghana.
Efforts by previous and current governments have proven futile, as individuals in the mining communities still engage in galamsey. Several discussions on television and the radio focus on polluted water, destroyed farmlands and environmental degradation.
However, one crucial aspect of life continues to be affected silently – education. In mining-affected communities, the classroom is under siege. Learners are abandoning classrooms, teachers are fleeing, and the country’s human capital is being eroded. This is the cold war between gold and education.
Teacher shortage crisis
One of the most serious impacts of illegal mining is the acute shortage of teachers in mining communities. Many trained educators refuse postings to mining communities.
This is a result of the high cost of living. Rent prices are high, making it nearly impossible for newly posted teachers to get accommodation. For those new teachers who do accept postings, the financial stress alone is unbearable, leading to a high attrition rate.
One thing to note is that many classrooms are left without qualified educators, and learners are made to struggle with little or no guidance. The Ghana Education Service has consistently reported staffing gaps in rural and mining-affected districts.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, Kessben Television reported that Manso, in the Ashanti Region lacked teachers. According to the report, it was projected that the area would need 300 qualified teachers to fill the teacher shortage gap.
Without competent teachers, learners will be denied the right to quality education. The shortage of teachers is a pressing issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Students trading books for gold
Even more disturbing is the effect on the students themselves. Many young boys prefer going to galamsey sites for money instead of taking their academic work seriously.
Young girls, on the other hand, are affected as many face teenage pregnancy and some are forced into early marriages, further deteriorating the social fabric of communities.
Collapse of academic dreams
Illegal mining not only pollutes water bodies and degrades the environment; it destroys the foundation of education. When young learners believe that illegal mining is a shortcut to financial wealth, they may undermine the importance of education, integrity, and diligence. Committed educators in these mining communities report growing disinterest, lack of respect for learning and absenteeism among learners. The decline of teaching and learning in these communities is a national crisis. It will be difficult for a nation to achieve sustainable development if certain areas are left without educated citizens.
Hidden victims
The hidden victims are not just water bodies and land – they are teachers and learners. Many educators have to endure harsh living conditions, poor infrastructure and low morale. Students, on the other hand, become victims of truancy, indiscipline and disobedience. Parents also face the challenge of deciding whether their wards should engage in illegal mining activities to better the home or to keep them in the classroom for academic growth.
Call to action
Fighting this menace requires collective efforts. Government, traditional authorities, civil society groups, teachers, parents, and discerning members of the community must come together to develop a comprehensive plan for combating this menace. The following points should be taken into consideration.
Incentives for teachers
The government must introduce housing schemes, hardship allowances and special initiatives to attract and retain teachers in mining communities. It is not easy to retain dedicated teachers who are frustrated with the high standards of living in these mining communities and who are bent on leaving these areas. A motivated teacher is the first step toward saving the dying classroom.
Strict enforcement against child labour
Young learners should never be allowed to be in mining pits. Laws prohibiting child involvement in galamsey must be enforced without compromise. All and sundry, especially parents, must view education as the best choice, not an option.
Scholarships, support programmes
Schools must offer scholarships that make education a great investment. Students from poor family backgrounds who are academically good must not be made to struggle to pay for education. Vocational and technical training can help learners and value education in these areas.
Community advocacy
Traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and teachers must use their powerful influence to redirect the attention of young learners toward education. Public campaigns stressing the dangers of galamsey and the benefits of education must be regularly organised.
Innovative teaching solutions
Teachers should prepare their minds to adapt. They must introduce practical lessons, spelling competitions and literacy programmes to revive interest in schools. When education becomes attractive, learners are less likely to abandon it.
Conclusion
The battle between galamsey and education is a defining struggle for Ghana’s future. Illegal mining may destroy land and water bodies, but we must not forget that the damage done to education is also a serious threat to Ghana’s future. As a nation, we must make it our priority to protect and defend our classrooms against the onslaught of illegal mining. The prosperity of a nation lies not in the gold beneath its soil but in the minds of its educated citizens.
The writer, Isaac Nyarko Antwi, is a teacher with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
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