“He’s Not a Professor Yet Every Week He’s Paid GH¢6,000” — Viral Video of Young Excavator Operator Sparks Debate on Teacher Salaries and Youth Priorities
A viral video shared by an illegal miner has ignited nationwide debate after revealing a young school dropout, said to have left school at Primary Six, earning GH¢6,000 weekly operating an excavator at a mining site. The miner, who filmed the boy confidently manoeuvring the heavy machine, mockingly compared the teenager’s earnings to the salaries of Ghanaian teachers many of whom take home far less after years of training and professional service.
In the video, the miner is heard saying, “He’s not a professor, yet every week he’s paid GH¢6,000.” His comments have stirred controversy online, with many Ghanaians expressing frustration over the growing perception that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has become more financially attractive to young people than formal education or legitimate careers.
A Symptom of a Bigger Problem
Education advocates say the video reflects a worrying trend: increasing numbers of Ghanaian youth are abandoning school for quick financial gains in mining communities. For many, the lure of instant cash overshadows the long-term benefits of education, especially when they witness peers or relatives making significant income from illegal mining activities.
Teachers and civil society organisations have also weighed in, arguing that the comparison highlights broader systemic issues particularly the persistent dissatisfaction over teacher remuneration and working conditions. Despite government efforts to improve salaries and allowances, many teachers still feel undervalued, especially when socio-economic realities seem to diminish the perceived worth of their profession.
The High Cost of Illegal Mining
While the miner’s remarks were made in jest, experts warn that the glamorisation of galamsey is dangerous. Beyond contributing to high school dropout rates, illegal mining devastates farmlands, pollutes water bodies, destroys forest reserves, and endangers the lives of the young people involved.
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Environmental analysts emphasise that the real cost of the GH¢6,000 weekly earnings is far greater than what appears on the surface. Young miners are exposed to hazardous conditions, lack job security, and face possible arrest, injury, or death.
Public Reactions
Social media reactions have been mixed. While some users pointed out the harsh economic realities forcing young people into risky work, others condemned the illegal miner for encouraging children to abandon school. Many teachers expressed frustration, saying the comparison undermines their dedication and sacrifices.
A teacher commented, “This is why we keep urging government to make the profession financially attractive. How do we convince the youth to value education when this is what they see?”
A Call for Action
The video has once again reignited calls for stronger enforcement of anti-galamsey laws, increased investment in teacher welfare, greater community education on the long-term dangers of illegal mining, and targeted interventions to support at-risk schoolchildren in mining communities.
As the debate continues, many hope the incident will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to address the socioeconomic disparities driving youth into illegal mining before more children trade the classroom for a mining pit.
Watch the video below:
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