Over 1,300 ECG containers missing at Tema Port – Investigative Report

An investigative report on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has revealed that more than 1,300 containers, which were supposed to be cleared at the Tema Port, cannot be accounted for.

The chairman of the committee that conducted the investigation, Professor Innocent Senyo Acquah, disclosed that while ECG claimed to have 2,491 uncleared containers which contained cables as well as other equipment belonging to ECG, an independent audit at the port found only 1,134, leaving 1,347 unaccounted for. 

He presented the findings to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor.

According to Prof. Acquah, prior to 2022, ECG had a dedicated fund that received weekly allocations for clearing the containers. However, the practice was discontinued, with the ECG board citing a lack of funds. 

Meanwhile, during this period, the company awarded contracts to two firms to clear the containers, with one being pre-financed by ECG. 

It was further discovered that one of these companies lacked the necessary licence to carry out the contract, raising concerns over procurement breaches.

The committee also found that ECG’s procurement directorate had been merged with its Housing and Estate unit. 

Additionally, background checks on the Director of Procurement revealed that he had no prior experience in procurement and was not a member of any professional procurement body.

Receiving the report, Minister Jinapor described the findings as alarming and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted with the assistance of the Attorney-General and the police. 

“The over 1,300 containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will work with the A-G and the police to ensure those responsible are brought to book to retrieve the containers or the monetary value of the same,” he stated.

The minister also announced that the procurement unit at ECG would be decoupled within a week and pledged to introduce swift, far-reaching measures to reform procurement processes at the company. 

“It cannot be business as usual. We are not targeting anybody, but we will make sure whoever is responsible will be held liable,” 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 examining ECG’s procurement practices, assessing the cost of the containers, and determining liabilities, which have been estimated at GH₵1.5 billion.