General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), in a shocking revelation, highlighted the devastating effects of illegal mining, or "galamsey," on Ghanaian children.

He revealed that 21% of children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour, with 14% involved in hazardous activities.

The destruction of water sources due to galamsey has forced children to trek long distances in search of clean water, disrupting their education.

The contaminated water not only endangers their health but also exacerbates the cycle of poverty, stunting their mental development and pushing more children into labour.

As illegal mining destroys the environment, it’s also robbing Ghana of its future by increasing school dropouts, with children forced to choose between education and survival.

Musah called on the government to declare galamsey a national emergency by the end of September. Should the government fail to act, GNAT has warned of strikes that could severely impact the education system.

Musah emphasised that the crisis, particularly the pollution of water bodies, can no longer be ignored, and immediate action is needed to prevent long-term damage to the nation’s youth.