An Illegal miner (galamseyer) has shared a video of a young school dropout, who reportedly left school in class 6 and is now operating an excavator at an illegal mining site.
The galamseyer in the viral video compared the young man earning to that of the earnings to those of teachers.
According to the galamseyer, the boy is a school dropout but earns GH¢6,000 as an excavator operator at an illegal mining site.
The narrator in the video stated, “This is the kid who earns more money than teachers, he did not attend school, he dropped out of school in class six. He is just trying the machine; that is his master standing there, Mussa, you have taught the child a better work. He is not a professor, but every week he earns GH¢6,000”.
The video has since sparked a heated debate under the post, with some netizens saying, “we all know he’s never paid 6k a week, but well….. and even if he does, is that enough reason to render the rest of the citizens prone to several deadly consequences”.
Another netizen added, “This alone shatters the argument that the gov’t must first provide alternative livelihoods before tackling galamsey. What legitimate job is going to pay a class 6 dropout GH¢6,000 a week? Clearly, the issue isn’t a lack of alternatives; rather, it’s the unchecked greed of a few”.
One more X user added, “6k weekly, meaning 24k monthly, 288,000k yearly. Ebi like the gala man for enter for at least 5 years then come back”.
“Money over environmental safety, wow. He didn’t even give education a chance, and who said becoming a Teacher is the only way after school?”, one more Ghanaian added.
Additionally, a netzine added, “Don’t let anyone deceive you with this deception – the guy went there and learn technical skills, and he is being paid for the skill he has developed.
He has to try to get a certificate for it; if not, he will only remain in the illegal field”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Cabinet has approved the Public Tribunals Bill.
According to John Mahama, the approval of the Public Tribunals Bill is aimed at fast-tracking the prosecution of galamsey cases.
President Mahama explained that the Public Tribunals Bill will strengthen the country’s resolve to clamp down on galamsey activities.
He highlighted that the measure forms part of the government’s broader efforts to curb environmental destruction and protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Speaking during a meeting with the Christian Council at Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, John Mahama stated, “What the Cabinet did was to pass the Public Tribunals Bill so that we will push issues related to illegal mining to the public tribunals. They will adjudicate faster and ensure that justice is seen to be done”.
“If this comes into effect, we will be able to process cases against illegal mining even quicker,” he added.
Watch the video below:
“He’s not a Professor yet every week he’s paid GH¢6,000”
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) November 24, 2025
— Illegal miner shares a video of a young school dropout, who reportedly left school in class 6 operating an excavator at a mining site, comparing his earnings to the salary of teachers. pic.twitter.com/jqvTD6mQaP