Gov’t seizes over 400 excavators in galamsey crackdown-Minister
By DL News
Published
1 min read
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series press briefing at the Jubilee House, Mr Buah revealed that the Forestry Commission had confiscated a wide array of equipment used in illegal mining operations.
In a renewed effort to clamp down on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the Government of Ghana has seized a total of 425 excavators and related machinery in the first half of the year, according to Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series press briefing at the Jubilee House, Mr Buah revealed that the Forestry Commission had confiscated a wide array of equipment used in illegal mining operations. These include 177 excavators, 4 bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorbikes, 155 water pumps, 184 changfangs (floating mining machines), 15 metal detectors, and 10 industrial generators.
The minister also reported that 1,345 arrests had been made across the country, with ongoing prosecutions aimed at ensuring that offenders are held accountable.
Mr Buah highlighted that the government is not only tackling illegal mining on the ground but also targeting its supply chain. In collaboration with the Ministries of Transport and Finance, including the GRA-Customs Division and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, a tracking system has been put in place to monitor the importation of excavators and heavy machinery.
The Government Accountability Series, hosted by the Presidency’s Communications Bureau, aims to foster openness in public administration and inform citizens of government actions and outcomes.
