President John Mahama has disclosed that 1,200 excavators imported into the country are currently undergoing a rigorous permitting and clearance process led by the Ministry of Transport.

Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, the President said the initiative forms part of efforts to tighten regulation of earth-moving equipment and prevent their diversion into illegal small-scale mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.

“In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, GRA Customs Division and the Ports and Harbors Authority, we’ve instituted a system for the proactive tracking of all imported excavators and earthmoving equipment from the port of entry,” he explained on September 10.

Out of the 1,200 machines, 1,015 have so far been registered, with 647 already fitted with tracking devices. The Minerals Commission is spearheading the installation of the devices, while the DVLA oversees registration. The President noted that another 315 tracking devices are expected to arrive by September 12, 2025, to step up the monitoring effort.

He added that about 600 excavators remain at the Tema Port, awaiting clearance under the new regime, which requires approval from the Transport Ministry, Customs, the DVLA and the Minerals Commission before the machines can be released.

Mr. Mahama stressed that the multi-agency system will ensure accountability, close regulatory loopholes and strengthen Ghana’s fight against galamsey.

“This is to make sure that every single piece of equipment is accounted for, from the moment it lands at our ports to where it is finally deployed,” he said.

The announcement comes amid growing public concern as Joy Research found an influx of earthmoving equipment into the country and their potential use in unregulated mining operations that continue to damage the environment and pollute water bodies.