Elliot Mensah, the Executive Director of The Resource Foundation, an NGO based in the Western North Region, has disclosed that illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’, is significantly disrupting child education in the area.
He has highlighted that many children within the Sefwi Juaboso enclave, particularly those aged twelve and above, are actively involved in illegal mining activities which is having a toll on their education.
While recognizing that the education sector faces nationwide challenges, Mensah identified illegal mining as the primary issue in the Western North Region, especially in Juaboso.
He acknowledged the government’s efforts to curb illegal mining but urged all stakeholders to take more decisive action to address this ongoing issue.
He made the remarks whilst donating some items by his NGO to Juaboso Senior High School. The items donated include student mattresses, pillows, and metal beds.
Headmaster of the school, Christian Dedjoe Djokotoe, expressed sincere gratitude for the generous donation. He also called on the public to support the school, noting that the government is making efforts to improve the school’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, some students shared their struggles in the school with our news team during the donation.
They revealed that overcrowding in classrooms and dormitories is hindering effective teaching and learning.
Although new classrooms are being built, because they are not completed, they are forced to pile up in the available ones which are dilapidated.
Additionally, the absence of a school bus is complicating transportation for students since the available one is not meeting the needs of the students.
The students appealed to the authorities and government to complete abandoned classroom and dormitory blocks to create a better environment for education.
By Emmanuel Sowah
