The National Anti‑Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has seized more unregistered excavators, which were suspected to be used in unmonitored operations across forest reserves.
This bold enforcement, confirmed by the Lands Ministry’s Public Relations Officer Paa Kwesi Schandorf, underscores a shift toward proactive regulation.
Mr. Schandorf said, “As of now, NAIMOS has seized over 450 unchecked and unregistered excavators that found their way into our forests,” adding that more seizures are underway.
He emphasized the significance of the move, stating it marks a new front in the government’s response to an escalating environmental crisis.
Ghana is home to 288 designated forest reserves, but the last eight years have seen a surge in illegal mining that has ravaged 44 of those reserves.
“In real terms, 5,500 hectares of forest reserves have been destroyed, equivalent to about 7,500 standard football fields.”
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Lands Ministry’s Public Relations Officer
Mr. Schandorf attributed much of the damage to the unchecked influx of heavy machinery into protected lands.
One alarming discovery: none of the excavators imported in recent years were registered, tracked, or monitored.
This oversight allowed heavy equipment to enter the country unchecked and operate with impunity, exacerbating biodiversity loss and weakening regulatory control.
Government Action: Seizing Control of the Crisis
The ministry also hinted at tighter import controls. To clamp down on further abuses, the Lands Ministry has, in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ministry of Transport, and other agencies, instituted a compulsory registration regime for all excavators.
Importers must now declare the intended usage and operational locale of each machine. Once registered, excavators are fitted with GPS tracking and geofencing systems to monitor their movement in real time.
Data collected from the GPS tracking systems will also feed into national databases to inform policy decisions and enforcement strategies.
“If an excavator moves outside its approved zone, the tracker sends an urgent alert, and the machine can be remotely disabled from the Minerals Commission’s control room which runs 24/7.”
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Lands Ministry’s Public Relations Officer
Currently, 724 excavators are already being tracked under the new system, according to the ministry. This real-time oversight, officials say, promises to swiftly detect and halt illegal operations.
Despite these robust efforts, the ministry acknowledges that challenges remain. Some illegal operators have become more sophisticated, often dismantling trackers or importing excavators through informal channels.
However, the Ministry insists that its multi-agency approach, coupled with improved intelligence gathering, will continue to close these loopholes.
Achieving Accountability
Describing these initiatives as a turning point, the Lands Ministry emphasized that the leadership of Minister Armah‑Kofi Buah is central to restoring accountability in Ghana’s mining sector.
The ministry stated, “These measures bring a new level of discipline in the use and import of excavators,” urging ongoing cooperation among agencies, communities, and civil society.
The Lands Ministry believes that beyond enforcement, public education and local involvement are crucial to sustaining the gains made so far. Mr. Schandorf stressed the importance of fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.
While the challenges posed by illegal mining in Ghana are significant, the ministry insisted that the measures being implemented by the government signify a hopeful turn in addressing this crisis.
The ministry noted that the proactive steps taken to register and monitor excavators, coupled with the commitment to environmental preservation, demonstrate a renewed dedication to safeguarding Ghana’s natural heritage.
The success of this strategy, however, hinges on sustained enforcement, public awareness, and active community engagement to protect Ghana’s forests for generations to come.
