1,200 excavators await clearance at Tema Port; Close to 3,000 more headed to Ghana – Transport Minister reveals

Editor's Note: The story has been updated to show the exact number of excavators mentioned by the minister.

Ghana's Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, announced that about 1,200 excavators are stranded at Tema Port. They are waiting for clearance due to a government ban on excavator imports. This ban aims to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey.

On JoyFM's News Night, Mr. Nikpe shared that intelligence reports indicate nearly 3,000 more excavators are on their way to Ghana by sea. He warned that this influx threatens the environment and efforts against illegal mining.

The Government of Ghana has imposed an immediate ban on importing excavators. The Transport Ministry issued a statement signed by Mr. Nikpe about a new policy called “No Permit, No Excavator.” This policy takes effect immediately.

Under this directive:

- Shipping lines cannot transport excavators into Ghana without prior approval.
- Dealers and importers must obtain permits from the Ministry of Transport before bringing in machinery.
- Enforcement agencies will ensure compliance; violators will face legal consequences.

The statement emphasized that the directive aims to protect water bodies and forest reserves. It highlighted the environmental damage caused by unregulated mining activities using heavy equipment.

Mr. Nikpe reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to enforcing maritime laws. He stated they would work with the Ghana Maritime Authority to monitor incoming shipments. He urged stakeholders to follow the new regulations and stressed that the government will not tolerate actions harming natural resources.

This crackdown is part of a broader national agenda. It seeks to restore degraded lands, preserve water bodies, and uphold the rule of law in Ghana’s extractive sector.