Mahama reveals 6,060 excavators held at ports, 2,059 fitted with trackers to curb galamsey

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that 6,060 excavators have been registered and detained at Ghana’s ports, while 2,059 have been fitted with tracking devices to help authorities monitor where the machines are being used.

He disclosed this at the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra on October 19, 2026, while outlining measures to prevent heavy equipment from being used for illegal mining.

President Mahama speaking at the event

The three-day event, held from October 19 to 21 under the patronage of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was organised around the theme “One Continent. One Voice on Minerals. Aligning Africa’s Mineral Future.”

Its central message was that Africa must work together to process more of its mineral resources locally and retain greater economic benefits from mining. 

The tracking devices are intended to help responsible authorities identify the locations and use of excavators and strengthen efforts to stop the machines from supporting unauthorised mining activities.

Mahama said the tracking system formed part of measures to improve monitoring of mining equipment across the country.

The move builds on the government’s previously announced “No Permit, No Excavator” policy, under which importers must obtain the required permit before bringing excavators into Ghana.

In June 2025, the President said the government would change the permitting system and track excavators to help determine whether they were being used for authorised mining. 

The policy was intended to curb the use of heavy machinery in illegal mining, which has damaged forests and polluted water bodies.