In a bold move to combat the escalating threat of illegal mining, the government of Ghana has impounded 1,250 excavators at various ports across the country, according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim.
The seizures, spearheaded by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, mark a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to dismantle the machinery pipeline feeding the galamsey (illegal small-scale mining) industry.
Speaking on JoyNews’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, June 21, Ms. Shamima described the mass impoundment as part of a coordinated national strategy to disrupt the flow of heavy-duty equipment used in unauthorized mining operations.
“I want to assure Ghanaians that the government, through the IGP, who is now taking the lead in the fight against galamsey, has impounded 1,250 excavators at our ports,” she said.
Authorities are currently investigating the importation of such a vast number of excavators, probing the legality and declared purposes of the machines.
The police, in collaboration with other state agencies, including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), are also tracking excavators already in circulation across the country.
“We are working with DVLA to track all these excavators because, clearly, there are supply and demand issues we need to resolve.
If someone cannot prove the equipment is for legitimate construction use, those machines will not be cleared,” Ms. Shamima stressed.
She emphasized that these efforts are part of the broader policy direction of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, which is intensifying its campaign to safeguard Ghana’s environment.
Illegal mining has long posed a threat to Ghana’s natural resources, polluting water bodies, destroying farmlands, and undermining sustainable economic growth.
The crackdown, according to Ms. Shamima, signals the administration’s firm resolve to restore ecological order and dismantle the networks that sustain illegal mining.
She noted that beyond enforcement, regulatory reforms and inter-agency cooperation are being strengthened to ensure long-term impact.
“The era of turning a blind eye to the illegal use of excavators is over. We are holding individuals and entities accountable,” she concluded.
The seizure operation is expected to be a key milestone in Ghana’s ongoing war against galamsey, sending a strong message to both importers and operators of illegal mining machinery.
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