The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has announced that 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the Tema Port pending validation before clearance.
The action is part of Ghana’s efforts to control the inflow and use of earth-moving equipment in the fight against illegal small-scale mining.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, the Minister said, “In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance (GRA-Customs Division), and the Ports and Harbours Authority, we have initiated a proactive tracking of all imports of excavators and earth-moving equipment from the point of entry.”
He added, “The Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software has been deployed by the Minerals Commission and is at an advanced stage to support this initiative. The platform will serve as the single point of integration for all agencies, including Customs, DVLA, the Ministry of Transport, the Minerals Commission, National Security, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat.”
The Minister explained that the system will ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and provide authorised institutions with real-time access to permit history, equipment location, and operational compliance.
“A pilot project of over 191 excavators is currently being tracked in the dedicated control room of the Minerals Commission,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), which makes it mandatory to register all equipment intended for mining use.
He also emphasized the role of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), describing it as “the operational nerve-centre for Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining and its associated environmental degradation.
