Presidential Spokesperson and Government Communication Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has disclosed that 1,250 excavators have been impounded at the Tema Port, pending justification of their use other than for galamsey.
In a post on X, Thursday, June 5, 2025, Kwakye Ofosu noted that the seizure of these excavators which have happened in the last two weeks was made possible through the efforts of the Ministers of Finance, Transport and Lands and Natural Resources.
The Minister said this action by government demonstrates how committed it is to the fight against galamsey.
“Fight against Galamsey gets more robust. In the last two weeks alone,the Ministers of Finance,Transport and Lands and Natural Resources, have caused 1,250 excavators imported into the country to be impounded at the Tema Port, pending verifiable proof by importers of their use other than Galamsey,” Kwakye Ofosu tweeted.
The Ministry of Transport in a statement on Thursday, June 5 also announced the prohibition of importation of excavators into the country with immediate effect.
Read also: Transport Ministry urges compliance with ‘No Permit, No excavator’ policy
The Ministry brought to the attention of Dealers and Importers of excavators and the general public the enforcement of a new Policy, “No Permit, No Excavator” introduced by goverGnment.
This forms part of Government’s renewed efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and protect the country’s water bodies.
Government has further directed that all shipping lines to desist from transporting excavators into the country without the required permit.
The statement cautioned that Dealers and Importers of excavators are to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Transport prior to importation.
President John Mahama announced that excavators can no longer be imported into Ghana without a government-issued permit, a move aimed at combating illegal mining and protecting the country’s water bodies.
Speaking at the Global Mining in Motion Summit on Monday, June 2, 2025, Mahama emphasized the need for stricter regulations to control mining activities.
“We are going to change the permitting regime. You will not be allowed to import an excavator or put it on a ship unless you get a permit before you can bring an excavator,” he stated.
Fight against Galamsey gets more robust. In the last two weeks alone,the Ministers of Finance,Transport and Lands and Natural Resources, have caused 1,250 excavators imported into the country to be impounded at the Tema Port,pending verifiable proof by importers of their use…
— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) June 5, 2025
