The National NGO Forum has called for an urgent national response to end child labour in illegal small-scale mining, widely known as galamsey, citing severe health risks, environmental degradation, and the violation of children's rights.
The stakeholders also called on social welfare officers, the police, and traditional leaders to adopt child-sensitive interventions backed by training and adequate funding.
Held at the University of Ghana to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Forum was spearheaded by child-focused non-profit organisation, OAfrica, and brought together stakeholders in the health, education, environment, and social protection sectors.
A key highlight of the event was the shocking revelation of the health impacts of mercury exposure on children living in mining communities.
