The recent arrest of 26 illegal miners near Samreboi in the Western Region has reignited discussions on Ghana’s ongoing battle against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, April 18, the Dean of Accounting and Finance at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Isaac Boadi, expressed doubt about the effectiveness of current anti-galamsey measures.
“I must be honest, Ghana’s environment is collapsing, and until the powerful — the kingpins — face prosecution and consequences, this ‘fight’ is nothing but a staged drama,” he stated.
Prof. Boadi’s comments followed a report detailing a significant police operation that led to the arrest of 26 individuals engaged in illegal mining activities in a forest reserve near Samreboi.
This operation forms part of a broader initiative by the Ghana Police Service to curb illegal mining, which has been linked to widespread environmental degradation, including deforestation and water pollution.
Prof. Boadi emphasised the need for a more comprehensive strategy — one that goes beyond arresting small-scale operators and targets the masterminds and beneficiaries behind these operations.
He warned that without addressing the involvement of powerful figures, efforts to end galamsey would remain ineffective.