Focus on Education, Not Galamsey – Manso Dadease Queen Mother Advises Youth at Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association Launch

The Queen Mother of Manso Dadease, Obaa Hemaa Akosua Asantewaa, under the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Council, has issued a heartfelt appeal to Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to focus on education instead of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. She emphasized that education remains the true foundation for lasting prosperity and national development, while galamsey only offers short-term wealth with devastating consequences.

Speaking at the official launch of the Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, the Queen Mother expressed deep concern over the growing number of young people abandoning their education to engage in illegal mining. She described the trend as worrying and dangerous, adding that it poses a serious threat to the country’s human resource development and environmental sustainability.

“The time has come for us to value education for a brighter future for our youth rather than resorting to galamsey as a quick means to make money. Education conquers all,” Obaa Hemaa Akosua Asantewaa passionately stated.

She lamented that the lust for quick money has pushed many young people into perilous mining ventures that not only destroy water bodies and farmlands but also endanger their health and well-being. According to her, the continuous destruction of natural resources in the Amansie area and other parts of the country undermines Ghana’s long-term development goals and the future of generations yet unborn.

Obaa Hemaa Akosua Asantewaa therefore called on parents, teachers, traditional leaders, and local authorities to take a united stand in promoting quality education and mentoring the youth to make responsible life choices. She maintained that the government alone cannot ensure national development without the active involvement of the citizenry.

“Government alone cannot shoulder the burden of national development. Communities, parents, and opinion leaders must take an active part in promoting quality education and guiding the youth to make the right choices,” she added.

The event, which brought together traditional leaders, alumni, educationists, and dignitaries from across the district, served as a platform to rekindle the spirit of community service and partnership for development.

On his part, the President of the Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association, Mr. Sarkodie Philip, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting education and community development. He disclosed that the association has outlined several initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and healthcare delivery within the district. These include the provision of ICT tools, laptops for health facilities, and the construction of essential educational infrastructure.

Mr. Sarkodie commended the Queen Mother for her inspiring message and called for stronger collaboration between the association, government officials, and traditional authorities to accelerate progress in the area. He particularly appealed to the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, and the District Chief Executive, to partner with the association to realize its development goals.

“Our vision goes beyond nostalgia; it is about giving back to the school that shaped us and contributing meaningfully to the progress of the Amansie South District,” Mr. Sarkodie remarked.

He further emphasized that education remains the most powerful weapon for social and economic transformation, adding that the association’s efforts will continue to focus on empowering young people through access to learning and skill-development opportunities.

The occasion concluded with renewed hope and unity among participants, who pledged their commitment to championing education as the key to eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development. The Queen Mother’s message resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom commended her for her bold advocacy against illegal mining and her dedication to youth empowerment.

The launch of the Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association thus became more than a reunion of past students — it was a clarion call to the entire Amansie South community to remember that education, not galamsey, is the real path to a brighter and sustainable future for Ghana.