Some youth engaged in underground mining in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region say unemployment and poverty have forced them into the dangerous activity despite the risk to their lives.
According to the miners, many of them have completed senior high school and tertiary education but have been unable to secure jobs, compelling them to resort to underground mining to earn a living and support their families.
In an exclusive interview, one of the miners, Kwame Asah, popularly known as Tagor, disclosed that he had been involved in underground mining in the area for more than seven years.
He ventured into the activity after completing senior high school but could not further his education due to a lack of financial support.
“When I completed SHS, I did not get the support to further my education. As a man, I had to leave my hometown, Ejura, and come here to work to help solve the financial problems at home,” he said.
Kwame described underground mining as less destructive to natural resources than surface mining, but acknowledged that it poses significant risks to the lives of those involved.
He said he would readily quit the job if another employment opportunity became available, given the constant danger of underground pits collapsing.
“If there is another employment opportunity for me, honestly, I will quit this job because I could die at any time if the pit collapses,” he said.
The miners have consequently appealed to the government to prioritise job creation and provide sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
They believe such interventions would help reduce the number of youths turning to dangerous underground mining activities as a means of survival.