The recent arrest of 26 illegal miners near Samreboi in Ghana’s Western Region has reignited public debate over the effectiveness of the country’s campaign against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. During an appearance on JoyNews’ AM Show on April 18, Professor Isaac Boadi, Dean of Accounting and Finance at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), expressed deep skepticism about the government’s efforts to end the menace.

Prof Boadi criticized the government’s approach, calling it a superficial fight that fails to address the root causes of galamsey. “Let’s be honest—Ghana’s environment is deteriorating rapidly. Until the powerful individuals behind these operations are identified, prosecuted, and punished, everything we’re witnessing is just staged drama,” he said.

His comments followed reports of a large-scale police operation that resulted in the arrest of 26 people engaged in illegal mining activities within a forest reserve near Samreboi. While the arrests were hailed by some as a positive step, Prof Boadi believes such crackdowns are only scratching the surface.

Illegal mining has been a long-standing issue in Ghana, contributing significantly to environmental problems such as deforestation, land degradation, and the pollution of rivers and water bodies. Despite years of pledges and task forces formed to combat it, the problem persists—largely due to the involvement of influential individuals who continue to operate with impunity.

According to Prof Boadi, the solution lies not only in targeting those caught in the act but also in pursuing the powerful figures who profit behind the scenes. He stressed that real progress can only be achieved if the government demonstrates the will to go after these key players.

The operation near Samreboi is part of a broader initiative by the Ghana Police Service to tackle galamsey. However, critics argue that these efforts tend to focus on arresting lower-level offenders while the major beneficiaries remain untouched.

Prof Boadi’s remarks echo similar concerns from civil society, environmental advocates, and political commentators who have long accused successive governments of lacking the political courage to confront the “big men” behind illegal mining.

In summary, while the arrest of the 26 illegal miners has brought some attention to the ongoing fight against galamsey, experts like Prof Boadi insist that without holding the real masterminds accountable, these actions will remain largely symbolic and ineffective in reversing the environmental crisis Ghana currently faces.