Prosecution biggest challenge in galamsey fight – Lands Minister

The Lands Minister of Ghana, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced that over 4,000 excavators are currently detained at the country's ports as part of new measures to combat illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. The government is tightening controls over the importation and usage of heavy machinery that could potentially be utilized for unlawful mining activities.

The Minister explained that this step is part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent excavators from entering Ghana without proper documentation outlining their intended use and location. To facilitate this, importers are now mandated to provide comprehensive information about the importer, the end user, and the exact location where an excavator will be employed before the equipment can clear customs.

To aid in the verification process, the Minerals Commission has set up a presence at the ports. Approved excavators will be equipped with tracking devices and subjected to geofencing technology. This allows authorities to monitor the equipment's movements and ensure they remain within the areas designated for their operation.

The ultimate aim of these measures is to ensure that every excavator operating in Ghana can be traced, making it more challenging for heavy equipment to be redirected towards illegal mining sites. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy intended to disrupt the equipment and logistics supporting galamsey, alongside enforcement operations carried out in forest reserves and mining communities.