Ghana’s Electricity Company (ECG) has found itself at the center of a scandal as an investigative report uncovered that over 1,350 containers meant for the company have gone missing at the Tema Port. The revelation has raised serious concerns about potential corruption, procurement breaches, and financial mismanagement within the company.
The Missing Containers: A Shocking Discovery
The investigative committee, led by Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, was tasked with auditing ECG’s procurement records after Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor visited the port in January 2025. Initially, ECG reported having 2,491 uncleared containers, filled with critical electrical equipment like cables and transformers. However, when an independent audit was conducted, only 1,134 containers could be accounted for, leaving a staggering 1,347 containers missing.
Each missing container is estimated to be worth $500,000, meaning ECG could have lost nearly GH₵1.5 billion in equipment. This has fueled suspicions of theft or diversion.
Where Did the Containers Go?
The disappearance of these containers raises several pressing questions. According to ECG, some of the containers were involved in legal disputes, but that does not explain the sheer volume of missing goods. Minister Jinapor has vowed to “get to the bottom of this”, suspecting that some individuals may have stolen or diverted the containers.
Adding to the controversy, the committee discovered:
• Procurement Lapses: ECG’s procurement unit had been merged with its Housing and Estate department, creating inefficiencies.
• Unqualified Leadership: The Director of Procurement had no prior experience in procurement and was not a member of any professional procurement body.
• Contract Irregularities: ECG awarded contracts to two firms to clear the containers, but one of the companies did not even have the proper license to perform the job.
Government’s Response: Accountability on the Line
The government has promised swift action to recover the missing containers and hold those responsible accountable. Minister Jinapor has announced a total restructuring of ECG’s procurement unit within a week, emphasizing that “it cannot be business as usual.”
Additionally, he has ordered:
• The remaining containers to be moved to a secure warehouse under National Security protection.
• Collaboration with Customs, National Security, the Attorney General, and the Police to trace the missing containers.
• Legal action against individuals found culpable in the disappearance of the goods.
What’s Next?
This scandal has exposed deep flaws in ECG’s procurement and financial management. As investigations continue, Ghanaians are eager to see whether those responsible will be held accountable or if this will become yet another unsolved corruption case.
One thing is clear: GH₵1.5 billion worth of equipment cannot simply vanish into thin air. The nation watches as the search for the missing containers unfolds.
