Accra: Some 150 excavators have successfully gone through the tracking system at the Minerals Commission since the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority began registering new excavators entering Ghana's ports on May 1, 2025. The initiative is part of the government's broader efforts to ensure the responsible usage of mining and earth-moving equipment and to bring order to the mining sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the policy was introduced in response to an alarming statistic from 2024, which revealed that Ghana imported excavators worth a staggering GHc6.2 billion, making it the third-highest import item. The move aims to regulate the influx and usage of these machines to prevent illegal mining activities and promote sustainable practices.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, announced the development of a special clearance code through the Customs Management System to track import permits. The Minerals Commission plans to install tamper-proof GP trackers on all registered excavators. These trackers will trigger an alarm at the Commission's Control Room if there is any tampering with the equipment.
The Minister further explained that once the DVLA registers and issues a number plate, and the excavator exits the port, a special identification number plate will be assigned to the machinery. This plate will distinguish them from regular vehicles, featuring a design with a green number on a white background.
The DVLA and the Customs Division of the GRA have also established a 24-hour Service Operating Centre at the Tema Port for the registration of excavators and the issuance of import permits. This facility aims to streamline the process and ensure all equipment entering the country is properly documented and regulated.
