The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has revealed that 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the Tema Port as part of government efforts to regulate the import and use of earth-moving equipment in the fight against illegal small-scale mining.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister disclosed that the excavators are currently being held pending validation before clearance.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance (GRA–Customs Division), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, we have initiated a proactive tracking process for all imports of excavators and earth-moving equipment at the point of entry. So far, 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the Tema Port and are awaiting validation,” he stated.
The move, he explained, forms part of a broader national strategy to tackle illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” which has contributed significantly to environmental degradation, particularly in Ghana’s forest reserves and river bodies.
To enhance oversight and accountability, the Minister announced the rollout of a centralized digital platform designed to monitor mining equipment across the country.
“The Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software, developed by the Minerals Commission, is now at an advanced stage of deployment,” he said. “This platform will serve as a single point of integration for key agencies including Customs, DVLA, the Ministry of Transport, the Minerals Commission, National Security, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat.”
The system, according to the Minister, is designed to promote transparency and efficiency by providing real-time access to equipment registration, permit history, geolocation data, and operational compliance for authorized institutions.
A pilot phase of the tracking system is already underway, with over 191 excavators currently being monitored from a central control room managed by the Minerals Commission.
The initiative is anchored in the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), which mandates the registration and tracking of all mining-related machinery.
“These regulations ensure that equipment is used strictly within the mining areas for which they are registered and helps prevent unauthorized operations,” Mr. Armah Kofi-Buah emphasized.
The Minister also highlighted the critical role of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), describing it as the “operational nerve centre” in Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining. NAIMOS, he said, coordinates efforts across security, environmental, and regulatory agencies to deliver a unified national response to the galamsey crisis.
The Government Accountability Series serves as a public platform for ministers to present mid-year reports and preliminary assessments of sectoral performance in line with the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance.
