An investigative report has revealed that over 1,300 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which were supposed to be cleared at Tema Port, cannot be accounted for.
According to the Chairman of the investigative committee, Professor Innocent Senyo Acquah, ECG initially claimed to have 2,491 uncleared containers containing cables and other electrical equipment.
However, an independent audit at the port found only 1,134 containers, leaving 1,347 missing.
The findings of the report have been presented to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor.
Professor Acquah disclosed that before 2022, ECG had a dedicated fund that received weekly allocations for clearing containers. However, the ECG board discontinued the practice, citing a lack of funds.
During this period, ECG awarded contracts to two firms to clear the containers, with one of the firms receiving pre-financing from ECG.
The committee’s investigation revealed that one of these companies lacked the necessary license to undertake the contract, raising concerns over procurement irregularities.
Additionally, the report found that ECG’s Procurement Directorate had been merged with its Housing and Estate Unit.
A background check on the Director of Procurement further revealed that he had no prior experience in procurement and was not a member of any professional procurement body.
Receiving the report, the Minister of Energy, Dr. John Jinapor described the findings as alarming and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted in collaboration with the Attorney General and the Police.
“The over 1,300 containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will work with the Attorney General and the Police to ensure that those responsible are brought to book and that the containers or their monetary value are retrieved,” he stated.
The minister also announced that ECG’s Procurement Unit will be decoupled within a week and pledged to introduce swift and far-reaching reforms to enhance procurement processes at the company.
“It cannot be business as usual. We are not targeting anybody, but we will ensure that whoever is responsible is held accountable,” he added.
The investigation was launched following the discovery of the uncleared containers during the minister’s visit to the port in January 2025.
A five-member committee was tasked with:
• Reviewing ECG’s procurement practices
• Assessing the cost of the missing containers
• Determining liabilities, which have been estimated at GH¢1.5 billion
With the findings now public, the government is expected to take decisive action to restore accountability and efficiency in ECG’s procurement and operations.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
