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Amenfi Central Child Labour Crisis: Cocoa Farming and Galamsey Push Children Out of Classrooms

Child labour has become a growing concern in the Amenfi Central District, where brisk business in cocoa farming and small-scale mining activities continues to draw children away from classrooms. Despite national efforts to promote education and protect children’s rights, many school-going children are found working in hazardous environments, undermining their future and exposing them to exploitation.

Date Created : 12/3/2025 : Story Author : Ghanadistricts.com

Communities such as Hiawa, Nkakaa, Agona Amenfi, and Adjakaa Manso have recorded some of the highest cases of child labour, largely due to the thriving small-scale mining (galamsey) operations. In these areas, children are often seen engaging in mining-related activities instead of pursuing their education. The lure of quick income from galamsey has become a dangerous trap, pulling vulnerable children into risky work that threatens their health and development.

Beyond mining, cocoa farming also contributes significantly to child labour in the district. Families struggling with poverty often rely on children to assist with farm work, from weeding and harvesting to carrying heavy loads. While these activities may seem like family support, they deprive children of their right to education and expose them to physical strain and long-term health risks.

Other communities such as Adidaase, Antobam, Kyekyeso, and Obeng also report high levels of child labour cases, painting a worrying picture of how widespread the issue has become. The situation highlights the urgent need for stronger interventions, including community sensitisation, enforcement of child protection laws, and expansion of social support programmes to reduce reliance on child labour.

Local leaders and child rights advocates are calling for immediate action to curb the menace. They stress that tackling child labour requires a multi-pronged approach—strengthening education access, providing alternative livelihoods for families, and intensifying the fight against illegal mining. Without decisive measures, the district risks losing an entire generation of children to hazardous work instead of nurturing them into skilled, educated citizens.

Amenfi Central’s child labour crisis is not just a social issue—it is a developmental emergency. Protecting children from exploitation and ensuring they remain in school is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and building a brighter future for the district.