The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has issued a two-week ultimatum, from May 14 to June 1, 2025, for all excavators, bulldozers, and farm equipment to be officially registered or risk being impounded.
The nationwide directive forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations and enhance accountability in the use of heavy-duty equipment across Ghana.
In a press briefing, DVLA officials clarified that the registration requirement extends beyond mining-related excavators to include agricultural machinery such as tractors and bulldozers, regardless of whether they operate on highways or off-road.
“This is a proactive step to support the government’s fight against galamsey and to ensure that all equipment in circulation is properly accounted for,” a DVLA spokesperson noted.
The DVLA emphasized that the move is in collaboration with key agencies including the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Minerals Commission.
Officials warned that equipment found unregistered after the June 1 deadline will be seized, and owners may face legal consequences. The DVLA is urging all operators, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors, to take immediate steps to regularize their documentation.