University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh STUDY ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN IN SURFACE MINING IN MPOHOR WASSA EAST DISTRICT, WESTERN REGION, GHANA BY FLORENCE AYISIANNOR (10000196) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF M.PHEL SOCIAL WORK DEGREE University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 397925 LI he University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I hereby declare that this report is my original work, and where other persons' ideas have been utilised, these have been duly acknowledged. My supervisors have been Dr. Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, of the Centre for Social Policy Study (CSPS), University of Ghana (UG) and Dr. Kofi Ohene Konadu of the Social Work Department. However, I am solely responsible for the contents of this study FLORENCE AYISIANNOR (STUDENT) University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACCEPTANCE Accepted by the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of M. Phil Social Work degree * DR. ELLEN BORTEI-DOKU ARYEETEY DR. KOFI OHENE KONADU (PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR) (SUPERVISOR) University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my husband Nii Kwatei Quartey who has always been there for me, my boss, Mr. Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi for his support and countless help, and to my parents Rev. Dr. Kennedy Obiri Annor and Mrs. Beatrice Obiri Annor for their love and support. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Finally a chapter is over, thank God. My deepest appreciation goes to my supervisors, Dr. Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey and Dr. Ohene Konadu for their guidance towards the successful completion of this work. My heartfelt thanks go to my former Director, Mr. Peter Eduful and all my colleagues at the office for their support. I am thankful to all the children and adults I interacted with in Mpohor, whose input formed the basis of this work. To my Field Assistants I say Thank you guys for the wonderful work done. I would also like to acknowledge the hospitality granted me by the staff of the Mpohor East District Assembly during the data collection. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Pa8e Title Page * Declaration Acceptance iii Dedication i y Acknowledgement v Table of Contents vi List of Tables xi List of Figures xiii List of Acronyms Abstract IItf ^ (pi )*}i Chapter 1 Background ^ 1.1 Problem Statement 2 1.2 Objectives of the Study 3 1.3 Research Questions 3 1.4 Rationale of Study 4 1.5 Conceptual Framework 4 Chapter 2 Literature Review 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Nature of Child Labour in Small Scale Mining 9 2.3 Involvement of Children in Surface Mining in Ghana 11 2.4 Economic Importance of Small-Scale Mining 13 2.5 Roles and Tasks of Child Workers in Mining 14 2.6 Gender Aspects 16 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Title Page 2.7 Effects of Mining on Children 17 2.7.1 Health 18 2.7.2 Education 20 2.7.3 Leisure and Recreation 23 2.7.4 Environment and Social Impact 23 2.8 Causes of Child Labour in Mining 24 2.8.1 Demand for Labour 24 2.8.2 Poverty 24 2.8.3 Family Size 25 Chapter 3 Methodology 26 3.1 Profile of Study Area 26 3.1.1 Demography 28 3.1.2 Economic Activity 29 3.2 Sampling Procedure 29 3.2.1 Selection of Study Area 29 3.2.2 Study Population 30 3.2.3 Target Population 30 3.2.4 Sampling Frame 30 3.2.5 Selection of Respondents 31 3.2.6 Training of Field Assistants 31 3.3 Source and Type of Data 32 3.3.1 Observation 32 3.3.2 Key informant Interviews 33 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Title Page 3.3.3 Child Interviews 33 3.3.4 Focus Group Discussion 34 3.3.5 Questionnaire 34 3.4 Limitations of the Study 34 3.5 Data Handling 35 3.6 Organisation of Report 35 3.7 Operational Definitions 36 Chapter 4 Discussion of Findings 38 4.1 Demographic Information and Living Conditions of Children 38 4.1.2 Age and Sex Distribution of Children 38 4.1.3 Ethnicity 39 4.1.4 Education Background of Children 40 4.1.5. Place of Birth 43 4.1.6 Current Place of Residence 44 4.1.7 Reasons for Moving 45 4.1.8 Person the Child Lives With at Time of Study 46 4.1.9 Main Occupation of the Person Child Live With 46 4.1.10 Sleeping Arrangements 47 4.1.11 Type of Meals Available to Children 49 4.1.12 Sleeping Materials 51 4.1.13 Condition of Roof of Building 51 4.1.14 Type of Health Facility Used 52 viii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Title Page 4.1.15 Water and Sanitation 53 4.2 Involvement in Mining Activities 55 4.2.1 Involvement in any Labour Activities for the Last Six Months 56 4.2.2 Involvement of Children in Mining Activities in the Past Six Months 56 4.2.3 Age at Which the Children Got Involved In Mining Activities 56 4.2.4 Education Level of Working Children 57 4.2.5 Reasons for Dropping out of School 58 4.2.6 Reasons for Involvement in Mining Activities 58 4.2.7 The Mining Process at Mpohor 60 4.2.8 Roles of Children in the Mining Process 63 4.3 Conditions of Work of Children Involved in Mining 64 4.3.1 Time Schedules for Work 64 4.3.2 Satisfaction with Time Schedule 65 4.3.3 Recruitment and Payment of Children 66 4.3.4 Satisfaction with pay and how it is spent 67 4.3.5 Break in between work 68 4.3.6 Duration of Break 68 4.3.7 Reasons for children working 69 4.4 Effect of the Mining Activities on Children 70 4.4.1 Dangers Associated with Roles 71 4.4.2 Exposure to Injuries 71 ix University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Title Page 4.4.3 Exposure to Mercury 72 4.4.4 Effect on Education 73 4.4.5 Effect on Health 75 4.5 Legal and Institutional Framework to Prevent Child Labour in Mining 80 4.5.1 Legal Framework to Protect Children in Mining 80 4.5.2 Institutional Framework to Prevent Child Labour in Mining 82 4.5.3 Programmes Undertaken Within the Community to Reduce the Involvement of Children in Mining Activities 86 Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations 88 5.1 Conclusions 89 5.2 Recommendation 90 Bibliography 92 Appendix A 95 Appendix B 109 x University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF TABLES Title Page Table 2.1: Population Distribution of the Mpohor Wassa East District 28 Table 4.1: Age distribution of children 39 Table 4.2: Ethnicity of Children 40 Table 4.3: Level of Education of Children 41 Table 4.4: Reasons for not Being in School 42 Table 4.5: Current Place of Residence of Children 44 Table 4.6: Reasons for Moving Given by Children 45 Table 4.7: Main Occupation of the Person Child Live With 47 Table 4.8: Person(s) with Whom Children Share a Room 49 Table 4.9 Number of Meals Per Day 50 Table 4.10: Age at Which Children Started Engagement in Surface Mining Activities With Regard to Sex 57 Table 4.11: Public and Private Schools (Year 2005) 60 Table 4.12: Tasks Performed by Children with Regard to Sex 63 Table 4.13 Times for Starting Work 64 Table 4.14 Average Earnings per day by Children in Mining 66 Table 4.15: Responses of children regarding duration for breaks 69 Table 4.16: Main Reasons for Working 68 Table 4.17: Description of Work by Children 70 Table 4.18 Use of Mercury by Children 72 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Title Pa8e Table 4.19 Effect of Mining Work on Education 74 Table 4.20 Explain your answer above 75 Table 4.21 Types of injuries suffered by children 76 Table 4.22: Top Ten Diseases in Mpohor Wassa East Districts in 2005 77 Table 4.23: Effect of mining chemicals on the health of child miners 77 Table 4.24: Children’s opinion of effects chemicals 78 Table 4.24 Type of Sensitization Programme by Organizer(s) 86 Table 4.25: Satisfaction with Frequency of sensitization Programmes 87 xii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF FIGURES Title Page Fig 1.1: Factors Affecting the Involvement and Withdrawal of Children in Mining 8 Fig 3.1: Mpohor Wassa East District Map 27 Fig.4,1 Place of Birth 43 Fig.4.2 Percentage Distribution of Persons Sharing Room with Child 48 Fig.4.3 Sleeping Materials 51 Fig. 4.4 Type of Health Facility Used By Children 52 Fig. 4.5 Main Source of Water 54 Fig. 4.6 Type of Toilet Facility Used 55 Fig.4.7: Satisfaction with Time of work: 65 Fig. 4.8 Percentage distribution of children allowed break 68 Fig. 4.9 Examples of Injuries Suffered By Children 72 xiii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF ACRONYMS AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ASIA DEV Asia Development and Economic News BECE Basis Education Certificate Exams BOPP Benso Oil Palm Plantation CHRAJ Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice CSO Civil Society Organizations CSPS Centre for Social Policy Study DA District Assembly DCLMC District Child Labour Monitoring Committees DHD District Health Directorate DHMT District Health Management Team DOC Department of Children DOWSU Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit DSW Department of Social Welfare GCLS Ghana Child Labour Survey GH<£ Ghana Cedis GHS Ghana Health Service GLSS Ghana Living Standard Survey GSS Ghana Statistical Service ILO International Labour Organisation IPEC International Programme for the Elimination of Child labour JHS Junior High School xiv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh KVIP Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit LD Labour Department LEAP Livelihood Enhancement Against Poverty MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies MESW Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey MINERCOL State Mining Company of Colombia Ltd, MWEDA Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly NGO Non Governmental Organisation NHIS National Health Insurance Scheme NSCECL National Steering Committee for the Elimination of Child Labour NSPS National Social Protection Strategy RCC Regional Coordinating Councils SGL Satellite Goldfields Limited SHS Senior High School SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences UG University of Ghana UNCRC United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund WFFC World Fit For Children WVI World Vision International University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT This report provides an insight into the involvement of children in surface mining activities.