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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