No Excavator Registered with DVLA in 8 Years, Says Lands Minister

October 13, 2025

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has made a shocking revelation about the country's battle against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

Speaking on the ongoing fight against galamsey operations, Minister Buah disclosed that for eight consecutive years, not a single excavator has been registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

This startling revelation raises serious questions about the tracking and regulation of heavy-duty mining equipment in Ghana, particularly as the country continues to grapple with widespread illegal mining activities that have devastated water bodies and forest reserves.

The absence of excavator registrations suggests a significant gap in the monitoring system for mining equipment, potentially making it easier for illegal miners to operate undetected. Excavators are essential tools in both legal and illegal mining operations, and their unregistered status could indicate a lack of oversight in the sector.

The Minister's statement comes amid renewed government efforts to tackle the galamsey menace, which has polluted major rivers and destroyed vast tracts of arable land across Ghana.

Further details on proposed regulatory measures are expected to follow as the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal mining operations.