Starting May 1, 2025, Ghana’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will enforce mandatory registration of all excavators entering the country’s ports, as part of intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities.
The new policy aims to improve tracking and accountability for heavy machinery often used in unauthorized small-scale mining, locally referred to as galamsey.
DVLA CEO Julius Neequaye Kotey announced the measure, explaining that it will establish a centralized database to monitor excavator ownership and usage. “This system will ensure these machines are used lawfully and in environmentally sustainable ways,” Kotey said. The move aligns with broader government initiatives to tighten oversight of mining equipment amid growing environmental and economic concerns.
Illegal mining has become a pressing issue in Ghana, with excavators playing a significant role in the destruction of forests and pollution of water sources. In 2024, the country imported excavators worth GH¢6.2 billion, ranking them as the third-largest import. However, many of these machines are suspected to have been diverted into unlawful operations.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has backed the policy, with Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah emphasizing its importance in curbing environmental damage. “This step is critical to halting the devastation caused by illegal mining and promoting responsible resource management,” Buah stated.
The DVLA has warned that non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including the seizure of unregistered excavators. Authorities are urging importers and operators to adhere to the new requirements ahead of the May deadline.
Ghana’s crackdown on illegal mining reflects wider regional efforts to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Similar measures have been introduced in other African nations grappling with the ecological and social consequences of unregulated mining activities. The success of this initiative could set a precedent for stricter enforcement mechanisms across the continent.
