The government is introducing a new permit system to regulate the importation of excavators, aiming to curb their use in illegal mining activities that have devastated Ghana’s environment.
Announcing the move at the Global Mining Summit in Kumasi on June 2, President John Dramani Mahama revealed that Ghana currently has more excavators than the rest of Africa combined—a key driver of the galamsey crisis.
“Controlling the flow and use of excavators is critical to sanitising the mining sector,” he said, adding that seven out of nine protected forest reserves previously overrun by illegal miners have now been cleared.
Under the new policy, importers will need official clearance before bringing excavators into the country, enabling better monitoring and enforcement.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also called for stronger leadership and greater accountability to confront corruption and regulatory failures that continue to undermine anti-galamsey efforts.
In a related move, a legislative instrument has been submitted to Parliament to eliminate presidential discretion in approving mining in forest reserves—another step toward protecting Ghana’s remaining green spaces.
