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Boys in UER abandon classroom for ‘galamsey’
The Chief of Kpongu in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, Naa Seidu Braimah has expressed worry at the rate at which male children abandon classes to engage in illegal mining popularly known as “galamsey” in the region.
A worried Naa Braimah said illegal mining was detrimental to the health and development of children since it interfered with their education and cautioned the youth to stay away from the act and focus on their education.
The chief stated this on the sidelines of a meeting organised by the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) on “ending child marriage and teenage pregnancies” in the area.
“These days, most of the boys skip school on certain days just to join their colleagues to engage in the illegal practice which is a threat to their health,” he said.
Naa Braimah explained that boys who indulged in illegal mining at tender ages turned out obstinate, making it difficult for their parents to reprimand them which eventually could lead to waywardness due to their early exposure to money.
“Some of the girls follow these galamsey boys because of the little money they give them and end up getting pregnant for these boys who deny responsibility because they are not ready to be fathers,” he said.
He stated that with the discovery of gold in commercial quantities in the region, it was relevant that stakeholders engaged in serious dialogue on how to dissuade the youth from accessing gold mining sites to the disadvantage of their education.
“Apart from the fact that parents are unable to discipline their children who join the galamsey business, there are other consequences such as deaths due to pits caving in and the tendency of the youth to learn social vices like smoking and alcoholism at the galamsey sites,” he stressed.
The chief called on parents to discuss with their young male children the dangers associated with illegal mining to make it unattractive to them.
He further encouraged the boys to identify role models in the region and aspire to be like such persons in future.
“I want to urge parents to work harder to provide for their wards and desist from taking money from them when they return from the mining operations,” he added.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Kpongu
Parliament has confirmed that the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, has been detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Parliament said the incident had been brought to the attention of the House leadership.
According to the statement, the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House are currently in contact with Ghana’s Mission in The Hague to gather detailed information about the matter.
Parliament, however, did not disclose the reasons behind the MP’s detention.
“The public will be duly informed appropriately on this matter,” the statement added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
