The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has given a 2 week ultimatum to all owners and operators of excavators to register their machines from May 14, 2025 to help stop illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The category of machines affected include individually owned excavators, dealer-owned excavators, and concession-owned excavators.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing, the Chief Executive of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey explained that the move is intended to stop the illegal use of earth moving vehicles in forest reserves and river bodies.

“The authority wishes to announce that all owners and/or operators of excavators and farming equipment, not registered with DVLA are required to locate the nearest DVLA offices within their jurisdictions to within 2 weeks starting today register their excavators and equipment without further delay”.

He cautioned that from June 1, 2025 the police and its operational team will go around the country, and arrest and confiscate any excavator in operation in mining sites without registration.

“Galamsey and the massive distractions we witness are facilitated greatly by excavators that are imported into this country. This menace poses an existential threat to everyone living in Ghana. It threatens both current and future generations”, he said.

Mr. Kotey disclosed that the DVLA will be working in collaboration with the police, Minerals Commission, Ministry of Lands, and the Customs of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Citing the justification of the action, Mr. Kotey said the Road Traffic Act, 2004 9Act 683 gives the DVLA the power to embark on such exercise.

“The law says a person shall not own or drive a motor vehicle or a motor trailer unless the motor vehicle or trailer is registered,” he said.

He explained that the provisions simply echo the fact that driving a motor vehicle or trailer including farming equipment without first having same registered by the DVLA is illegal and punishable.

He disclosed that there are many unregistered excavators being used in the mining areas to illegally destroy forest regions.