Excavator Owners Given 14 Days to Register—Or Face Police Action

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has issued a two-week ultimatum to all owners and operators of excavators across Ghana to register their machines by June 1, 2025, or face confiscation.

The directive, which takes effect from May 14, targets individually-owned, dealer-owned, and concession-owned excavators, and is part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking at a press briefing, DVLA Chief Executive Julius Neequaye Kotey emphasized the urgency of the exercise, stating that unregistered excavators have become key tools in the destruction of forests and water bodies across the country.

“Galamsey and the massive destruction we are witnessing are made possible largely through the use of these machines. This is a national crisis,” Mr. Kotey warned.

He added that effective June 1, law enforcement, in collaboration with the Minerals Commission, Ministry of Lands, Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division, and other agencies, will begin operations to arrest and seize any excavator found operating without DVLA registration.

“All excavator owners and operators must immediately report to the nearest DVLA office to regularize their machines. The deadline is non-negotiable,” he cautioned.

Mr. Kotey cited the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) as the legal foundation for the move, noting that it prohibits the ownership or operation of any motor vehicle or trailer, including earth-moving and farming equipment, unless they are properly registered.

He also revealed that many of the machines being used in illegal mining operations were either smuggled in or not documented, making it difficult to trace and control their activities.

The DVLA says the exercise is not only about regulation but also about protecting Ghana’s environment and future generations from the harmful effects of unregulated mining.