Don’t burn the excavators, confiscate them – President Mahama orders illegal mining task force

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the task force combating illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) to confiscate excavators instead of destroying them.

The directive marks a departure from previous government measures, which involved burning seized excavators—a move that drew widespread criticism.

Speaking at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 21, after a meeting with the Christian Council, President Mahama emphasized the need for a more structured approach to tackling galamsey.

“I’ve told them not to burn the excavators. They should confiscate them,” he stated.

He acknowledged that small-scale mining is a source of livelihood for approximately 1.8 million Ghanaians but stressed the importance of responsible mining practices to protect the environment.

The President also revealed that illegal mining activities have led to the degradation of 43 out of Ghana’s 280 forest reserves. In response, the government has intensified efforts to reclaim affected lands, with recent operations in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve resulting in the seizure of excavators and other mining equipment.