Beginning May 1, 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will require the mandatory registration of all excavators at Ghana’s ports of entry, as authorities step up efforts to curb illegal mining operations.
The new directive, aimed at enhancing the monitoring and traceability of heavy machinery, targets the widespread deployment of excavators in unauthorized small-scale mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
Announcing the policy, DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey said the initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to strengthen oversight of equipment entering the country.
“By registering excavators at the point of entry, authorities intend to build a comprehensive database that tracks the ownership and utilisation of these machines, ensuring their use is consistent with lawful and environmentally sustainable practices,” Mr. Kotey said.
The measure comes amid rising concerns over the environmental and economic toll of illegal mining. In 2024 alone, Ghana imported excavators worth approximately GH¢6.2 billion, making them the country’s third-largest import item. However, a significant number of these machines are believed to have ended up in illegal mining operations, contributing to deforestation and the contamination of water bodies.
The excavator registration initiative has garnered strong support from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah re-echoed the government’s commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight in collaboration with the DVLA and the Ministry of Transport.
“This is a necessary step to curb the rampant environmental degradation caused by illegal mining and to foster sustainable resource management practices,” the Minister said.
Ahead of the implementation date, the DVLA is urging importers and operators of heavy machinery to ensure full compliance. Failure to register excavators at entry points could result in severe penalties, including the impounding of unregistered equipment, the Authority warned.
