The Ghanaian government has intensified its efforts to regulate excavator use in the fight against illegal mining, directing all owners and operators of excavators to register their machinery with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) within the next two weeks.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Thursday, Julius Neequaye Kotey, the Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, announced that starting June 1, 2025, any unregistered excavator found in operation would be seized by the state.
Nationwide Crackdown Planned
Kotey outlined that the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the DVLA’s operational team, would embark on a nationwide enforcement campaign to arrest and confiscate unregistered excavators being used for commercial purposes, particularly at mining sites.
“This is a firm directive. After the two-week deadline, we will be moving across the country to ensure compliance. Any unregistered excavator we find will be confiscated,” he stressed.
Collaborative Efforts to Track Equipment
To strengthen oversight, the DVLA is working closely with several other state agencies, including the Minerals Commission, National Security, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), to register and tag all new excavators entering the country.
“This joint exercise aims to create a comprehensive database of all excavators and heavy equipment in the country, ensuring each piece can be traced back to its owner,” Kotey explained. “This is critical in preventing their use in illegal mining operations, which have been a major driver of environmental degradation.”
Legal Mandate
Kotey noted that the directive is backed by Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), which mandates the registration of motor vehicles and trailers. Despite this, many excavators operating in mining areas remain unregistered, making it difficult for authorities to monitor their use.
Supporting the Galamsey Fight
The DVLA boss underscored the importance of the initiative in the ongoing fight against illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” which has devastated large swathes of the country’s natural landscape.
“This is about protecting our environment and our future. We cannot allow a few individuals to destroy our water bodies and forests because of their disregard for the law,” he said, calling for broader support from stakeholders, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
With 34 offices spread across the country, Kotey assured the public that the DVLA is fully equipped to handle the expected influx of registrations within the given timeframe.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
He also appealed for a collective approach to tackle the problem, emphasizing that successful enforcement will require the active participation of all relevant agencies and communities.
“Everyone has a role to play in this fight, from law enforcement to traditional leaders and civil society. This is a national effort, and we must all stand together to win it,” Kotey concluded.
