1,200 excavators seized at Tema port awaiting clearance – Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah has announced that 1,200 excavators have been confiscated at the Tema Port, pending validation for clearance.
This, according to the Minister, forms part of the government’s broader strategy to regulate the influx and utilization of earth-moving machinery in the ongoing fight against illegal mining (Galamsey) activities.
During his address at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 23, Kofi-Buah highlighted the collaborative efforts involving the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance (the GRA-Customs Division), and the Ports and Harbours Authority, in tracking the imports of these machines.
“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. So far, 1,200 excavators have been impounded pending validation before clearance at the Tema Port,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that this crackdown is a critical part of a national strategy to tackle environmental degradation caused by illegal mining operations, especially in sensitive areas such as water bodies and forest reserves, adding that a new centralized digital system designed to track mining machinery across the country has been introduced.
“The Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software has been deployed by the Minerals Commission and is at an advanced stage to support this initiative,” he explained, and noted that this platform will act as a central hub for various agencies including Customs, the DVLA, the Ministry of Transport, the Minerals Commission, National Security, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat – to ensure seamless integration.
“This system will ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and provide authorized institutions with real-time access to permit history, equipment location, and operational compliance,” he added.
“A pilot project of over 191 excavators is currently being tracked in the dedicated control room of the Minerals Commission,” the Minister revealed.
This initiative is supported by the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), which mandates that all equipment intended for mining purposes be registered.
“These regulations ensure that machinery and equipment are tracked in real time and used only in mining areas for which they have been registered,” he stated.
The Lands Minister highlighted the role of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which he referred to as “the operational nerve-centre for Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining and its associated environmental degradation,” pointing out that NAIMOS effectively coordinates the country’s security, environmental, and legal strategies into a cohesive response.
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