Unemployment drives educated youth into dangerous mining in Ghana

In the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, young people with senior high school and tertiary qualifications are turning to hazardous underground mining due to a lack of formal employment opportunities.

Miners interviewed reported that poverty and the inability to fund further education have forced them into the trade. Kwame Asah, a worker with seven years of experience, noted that he entered the industry to support his family after being unable to continue his studies following high school.

While some miners argue that underground operations cause less environmental damage than surface mining, they highlighted the extreme physical risks, specifically the constant threat of pit collapses. The workers have called on the government to prioritize job creation and sustainable employment to provide safer alternatives for the nation's youth.