President John Dramani Mahama has announced bold new measures to combat illegal mining in Ghana, including tracking all imported excavators and revamping the national permit system.
Speaking at the Ghana Mining in Motion Summit, held at the Kempinski Hotel in the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama emphasized that his administration is taking decisive action to curb the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
“We will track excavators in order to know whether they are being used for illegal mining or not, and we intend to change the permitting regime,” the President stated.
As part of the new policy, restrictions will be placed on the importation of excavators, ensuring that no machinery enters the country without prior government approval.
“You will not be allowed to import an excavator or even put it on a ship unless you have secured a valid permit,” he emphasized.
President Mahama further revealed that Ghana now has more excavators than any other country in Africa, a statistic he cited to stress the urgency of implementing stricter controls.
The announcement forms part of a broader strategy by the government to promote responsible mining practices, protect Ghana’s natural environment, and ensure that mining operations contribute meaningfully to national development.
