The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will, from May 1, 2025, commence the mandatory registration of all excavators entering Ghana through the country’s ports.
The initiative, announced by DVLA Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey, is designed to enhance the identification and monitoring of excavator ownership.
It seeks to curb the use of heavy machinery in unauthorised mining activities, popularly known as “galamsey.”
Mr. Kotey emphasised that registering excavators at the point of entry would create a comprehensive database to trace the use of these machines and ensure they are deployed in line with legal and environmentally sustainable practices.
The new measure forms part of broader governmental efforts to regulate the import and deployment of excavators across Ghana. Recent data shows that in 2024 alone, excavators worth approximately GH¢6.2 billion were imported, ranking them as the country’s third-largest import commodity.
Authorities have expressed concern that many of these machines are being diverted to illegal mining operations, contributing significantly to environmental degradation.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, welcomed the DVLA’s initiative, stressing the importance of collaboration among key agencies, including the Ministry of Transport.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing effective monitoring systems as part of a broader strategy to tackle illegal mining and foster sustainable management of natural resources.
Ahead of the May 1 rollout, stakeholders, including importers and operators of heavy machinery, are being urged to comply with the new registration requirements. The DVLA has cautioned that non-compliance could attract penalties, including the possible impounding of unregistered excavators.
Source: Channel1News
