Starting May 1, 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will enforce the mandatory registration of all excavators entering Ghana’s ports, in a bold move aimed at tackling the growing menace of illegal mining.
The initiative, announced by DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey, seeks to tighten control over the import and use of heavy machinery, particularly excavators that are frequently diverted into illegal mining operations, known locally as “galamsey.”
Kotey explained that registering excavators at the port of entry will allow the creation of a comprehensive database to track ownership and monitor usage, ensuring that the machines are deployed for legitimate, environmentally responsible activities.
The new policy forms part of a broader government crackdown on illegal mining and unregulated resource exploitation. It follows alarming statistics from 2024, which showed that Ghana imported excavators worth about GH¢6.2 billion—making them the country’s third-largest import item. Authorities believe that many of these machines end up at illegal mining sites, where their use severely damages land and water bodies.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has thrown his full support behind the initiative, describing it as critical to the government’s wider strategy to promote sustainable mining practices. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Transport, the DVLA, and other key agencies to effectively track and manage excavator operations nationwide.
As the May 1 deadline approaches, the DVLA is urging all importers and operators of heavy machinery to comply with the new registration rules. Officials have warned that failure to register excavators upon arrival could lead to heavy penalties, including the seizure of equipment.
The move signals a new era of accountability in the import and management of heavy mining equipment, as Ghana steps up efforts to preserve its environment and natural resources.
