OAfrica NGO Pledges Full Support to Children in Mining Communities — Project Manager

The Project Manager of OAfrica, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Madam Jacinta Owusua Atakora, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children in mining communities, stressing that no child should end up in an orphanage or be forced into illegal mining (galamsey) because of poverty.

Speaking at a town hall meeting held at Akyem Samang in the Fanteakwa South District, Madam Atakora noted that for the past 23 years, OAfrica has worked tirelessly to ensure that orphans remain with their families rather than being placed in orphanages.
According to her, children become emotionally distressed when separated from their parents, which negatively affects their education and future development. Madam Atakora expressed concern about the growing involvement of young people in galamsey across various communities. She emphasized that parents must take responsibility and ensure their children do not engage in such dangerous activities.

“OAfrica strongly believes that youth involvement in galamsey should never be encouraged. Parents must protect their children and ensure they focus on education, because that is what can transform their lives and positively impact their communities,” she stated.

She revealed that OAfrica is currently operating in Fanteakwa South, specifically in Akyem Samang, Nsutam, Ayinam, and Kwabeng—to support young people who have abandoned school for galamsey. Under the initiative, the NGO will pay school fees and provide financial assistance to help children return to school. Madam Atakora expressed concern about the growing involvement of young people in galamsey across various communities. She emphasized that parents must take responsibility and ensure their children do not engage in such dangerous activities.

“OAfrica strongly believes that youth involvement in galamsey should never be encouraged. Parents must protect their children and ensure they focus on education, because that is what can transform their lives and positively impact their communities,” she stated.

She revealed that OAfrica is currently operating in Fanteakwa South,specifically in Akyem Samang, Nsutam, Ayinam, and Kwabeng—to support young people who have abandoned school for galamsey. Under the initiative, the NGO will pay school fees and provide financial assistance to help children return to school.Madam Atakora added that the NGO will also support struggling parents by providing capital to start small businesses, helping them overcome the economic challenges that often push their children into illegal mining.

“We want to ensure that no child goes into galamsey simply because of poverty. Adults may choose to engage in it, but no child should ever be involved,” she emphasized.

The nine-month project will be evaluated across the beneficiary communities. If the results are positive, OAfrica plans to extend the initiative to other areas so that more families can benefit.

Madam Atakora appealed to religious leaders, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and civil society organizations to join the advocacy against child involvement in illegal mining. She called on all stakeholders to help stop the harmful practice and safeguard the future and well-being of children.OAfrica continues to support orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana by ensuring they grow up in nurturing environments that provide quality care, protection, education, and emotional support.

By: Nana Addo, Radio 1