The tranquil fishing town of Brenu Akyinim, nestled along Ghana’s scenic coast near Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality, has become the unlikely epicentre of a growing illegal mining crisis. As the lure of quick cash from ‘galamsey’—unregulated small-scale gold mining—spreads across the community, schoolchildren are increasingly trading classrooms for perilous night shifts on the beachfront.
Once known for its peaceful charm and tourist appeal, Brenu Akyinim is now witnessing a dramatic shift as unemployed youths, and alarmingly, school-age children, turn to beach mining for income. At Brenu Akyinim M/A Basic School, it has emerged that nearly all 13 boys currently sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are secretly involved in the illicit activity. Meanwhile, 19 girls in the same class support the mining effort by fetching water for a fee, helping to alleviate financial burdens at home.
These students work under the cover of darkness, earning between GH¢100 and GH¢200 per night. Teachers remain unaware as they rest, while their pupils toil along the now-scarred coastline.
Seventeen-year-old Kojo (name changed), speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said, “School takes too long to make money. Here, I can earn some daily income to help my family put food on the table. Why wait years for a certificate when I can start working now?”
His sentiments were echoed by 15-year-old Ama, who was accompanied by her mother during the interview. “My parents are poor and they depend on what I make every day from mining at night to fend for the family. I feel proud to support them. I plan to save enough to start my own business when I complete my BECE. Possibly, I will go into fish trading or set up a small shop.”
Despite acknowledging that sleepless nights before school take a toll on their health, mood, and academic performance, many students remain determined to continue mining in order to survive.
Their struggles were confirmed by the school’s headteacher, Mr Jefta Dadzie, who reported a sharp drop in academic performance and class attendance—especially among boys—since BECE registration began. He described how students often arrive at school pale, dizzy, and lacking the energy to complete assignments.
“My students have become more money-driven and indifferent to their education. They’re not learning; they’re competing with adults for gold. They barely sleep. Buildings are collapsing in the area, yet these children seem oblivious to the devastating destruction,” said Mr Dadzie. He attributed the worsening situation to poverty, parental neglect, and disillusionment with formal education.
His assessment was supported by a parent, Madam Abrefi, who admitted that economic desperation often forces families to accept their children’s participation in illegal mining. “I allow my children to engage in illegal mining not out of disregard for the law, but from fierce love and desperation to provide them with good education. Survival today can pave the way for a better tomorrow, even as some graduates wait in vain for opportunities.”
The implications for health and safety are also deeply concerning. A visit by GNA revealed deep trenches dangerously close to the Brenu Akyinim CHPS compound—the only health centre serving over 1,000 residents. The facility, already under threat from inland tidal erosion, now faces near-collapse due to unregulated mining along the beachfront.
Dr Martin Danko, who heads the health centre, warned of a looming crisis. Should the facility fail, residents would be forced to travel long distances to Elmina for basic medical care. He added that the all-female staff have faced threats for attempting to stop the destructive mining.
Dr Danko further highlighted the hidden health dangers posed by mercury and arsenic used in the extraction process, which have polluted local water sources. These contaminants can cause waterborne diseases such as typhoid and diarrhoea, as well as more severe conditions including kidney damage, respiratory illnesses, congenital defects, and cognitive impairments.
Local leadership is also sounding the alarm. Assemblyman Daniel Burknor Mensah expressed grave concern over the collapse of educational values and the disintegration of the community’s social foundation.
“It pains me deeply to see our children abandon education to chase gold in dangerous illegal mines. This is not just a loss of schooling; it’s a loss of our community’s future. We must act urgently to protect these young lives before greed buries their dreams forever,” he said.
He also condemned the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, noting how it has eroded the town’s natural defences, displaced families, and weakened the local economy.
In response to this crisis, stakeholders have called for a multi-pronged intervention to reintegrate affected students. Key proposals include increasing parental awareness of the long-term benefits of education, imposing sanctions on those who allow their children to mine, and offering vocational training for students struggling academically.
Community-wide collaboration among parents, educators, local leaders, and government institutions is essential to reverse the current trend and protect the youth. Legal enforcement must be strengthened to deter child labour in mining, while investment in health care, environmental protection, and alternative livelihoods will be crucial in building a sustainable future for Brenu Akyinim.