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April 7th , 2025

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TEENAGE PREGNANCIES RISE IN UPPER EAST AS GALAMSEY SPREADS—FAWE WARNS

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A disturbing link between illegal gold mining and rising teenage pregnancies has emerged in Ghana’s Upper East Region. The Forum for African Women Educationalists, an organization focused on girls’ education and empowerment, has revealed that the growing menace of illegal mining, commonly called galamsey, is contributing to a surge in cases of teenage pregnancy across several districts in the region.

This information was made public on March 28, 2025, during a media engagement organized by FAWE. Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Gazari, a senior field officer with the organization, shared findings from a recent survey. He disclosed that districts such as Bongo and other areas rich in gold deposits have experienced an alarming increase in teenage pregnancies since illegal mining activities intensified in the region.

The survey pointed to a worrying trend. Out of the seven districts where gold has recently been discovered in the Upper East Region, six are involved in illegal mining operations. These include Bawku West, Nabdam, Bongo, Bolgatanga Municipal, and two other unnamed districts. Only Talensi is reportedly excluded from direct galamsey involvement. According to Gazari, the presence of galamsey sites in these communities has created conditions that expose young girls to exploitation and early pregnancies.

Galamsey operations often attract large numbers of young men and miners into rural areas. These activities usually occur in informal settings with little to no regulation, leading to environments that lack proper social structures and protection for vulnerable groups, especially adolescent girls. With limited economic opportunities, many of these girls become susceptible to relationships with older miners, who sometimes offer them money or gifts in exchange for sex.

The absence of government or NGO projects in these illegal mining areas is also a major concern. FAWE revealed that their adolescent empowerment project does not cover regions directly affected by galamsey. This has created a gap in education, awareness, and protection services for young girls living in or near these mining zones. As a result, the girls in these communities are often left unprotected, without the necessary support to make informed decisions about their health and future.

According to Gazari, while their project has been well-received in other regions, its reach does not extend to galamsey-prone zones, which are among the areas most in need. He emphasized the importance of extending these educational and support initiatives into such regions to curb the rising trend of teenage pregnancies and provide young girls with a safer environment to grow and learn.

Despite these challenges, the FAWE project has recorded several success stories. In areas where the project is active, community members are beginning to take more responsibility in protecting adolescent girls. Some residents have started reporting cases of abuse and are encouraging young girls to speak up about their experiences. Gazari mentioned one case where a young girl was rescued from a forced marriage through the project’s intervention and is now studying at the university.

The findings by FAWE have sparked conversations about the broader impact of galamsey beyond environmental destruction. While the illegal mining trade has long been criticized for polluting water bodies and degrading farmlands, its social consequences—especially on young girls—are now becoming clearer. Community leaders, parents, and education advocates are being urged to take collective action in safeguarding the rights and futures of children affected by the spread of galamsey.

Calls have also been made to the government and stakeholders in the education sector to extend protection programs into areas affected by illegal mining. Without proper intervention, these communities could continue to witness rising cases of teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, and other related challenges. Empowering girls through education and awareness is seen as a key step in reversing this worrying trend.

 




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