President John Mahama has refuted claims that excavators are being secretly released from Tema Port at night, clarifying that their movement is part of a decongestion effort.
Speaking at a media engagement on Wednesday, September 10, he explained that the machines are relocated to a secure site near a military installation to free up port space.
“Someone said excavators were being released at midnight to owners. That’s not true,” Mahama stated. “They’re moved at night to avoid daytime traffic, using pay-loaders to transfer them to designated holding areas.” He noted that Ghana’s high volume of excavator imports—making it West Africa’s top importer and Africa’s second—has overwhelmed port storage, necessitating the measure.
Mahama emphasized strict oversight, requiring excavators to be registered, fitted with trackers, and verified for ownership and purpose before release. “We want to know who is importing them, who they’re going to, and be able to trace them anywhere in the country,” he said.
This aligns with efforts to combat illegal mining, though he clarified that a blanket ban on excavator imports is not feasible due to their legitimate use in large-scale mining and construction.
The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to curbing illegal mining while ensuring compliance with import regulations.
