Government Bans Importation of Excavators to Tackle Illegal Mining: New “No Permit, No Excavator” Policy Takes Effect
The Government of Ghana has announced a decisive ban on the importation of excavators into the country with immediate effect, as part of a renewed nationwide campaign to combat illegal mining activities and protect Ghana’s increasingly threatened water bodies.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Transport and addressed to all media houses, the government made it clear that no excavators shall be allowed entry into Ghana unless the importer or dealer secures prior authorization from the Ministry. The new policy, dubbed “No Permit, No Excavator”, is now in full force and is aimed at tightening the control of heavy mining equipment, which has been widely used in illegal mining operations, particularly in riverine areas and forest reserves.
According to the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe (MP), the directive applies to all stakeholders, including shipping lines, equipment dealers, and individual importers. The Ministry emphasized that shipping companies are required to comply by refusing to ship excavators destined for Ghana unless a valid permit has been issued by the Ministry of Transport.
“The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Transport, wishes to announce for the attention of Dealers, Importers of excavators, and the General Public that, with immediate effect, the importation of excavators into the country is prohibited,” the statement reads.
Hon. Nikpe explained that the clampdown is part of government’s broader commitment to ending illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as “galamsey”, which has had devastating effects on the environment, especially water bodies such as rivers Pra, Ankobra, and Offin. He reiterated that the environmental toll of unchecked excavator usage in mining operations is unsustainable, and urgent action is required to reverse the damage.
The new policy mandates that:
- All shipping lines must desist from transporting excavators into Ghana without the requisite permit.
- All dealers and importers must first obtain a permit from the Ministry of Transport before importing any excavator.
The Transport Minister urged all stakeholders to take note of the directive and comply strictly to avoid sanctions. He warned that any excavator that enters the country without proper authorization risks being impounded and the persons involved prosecuted.
This move forms part of a larger inter-ministerial and multi-agency strategy by the government to curb illegal mining, enforce mining regulations, and restore degraded lands. The policy is also expected to enhance coordination among the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and other regulatory bodies.
The Ministry called on the media to support the government in educating the public and importers on the new policy, as ignorance of the directive will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance.
The press release concluded with a strong advisory: “Dealers and Importers of excavators, as well as the General Public, are advised to take note for strict compliance.”
The “No Permit, No Excavator” policy signals the government’s uncompromising resolve to address illegal mining and restore environmental sanity across Ghana.
