An independent audit has revealed that over 1,300 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) cannot be accounted for at the Tema Port, raising serious concerns over procurement and accountability within the state-owned power company.
According to Professor Innocent Senyo Acquah, Chairman of the investigative committee, ECG had reported that it had 2,491 uncleared containers filled with cables and other essential equipment at the port.
However, the audit found only 1,134 containers, leaving a shortfall of 1,357 containers.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, expressed deep concern over the findings, assuring that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
“The over 1,300 containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will ensure those responsible are held accountable,” Jinapor stated after receiving the investigative report.
The minister further announced plans to restructure ECG’s procurement unit within a week and implement urgent reforms to prevent future irregularities.
Key Findings from the Investigation:–
Before 2022, ECG operated a dedicated fund that received weekly allocations for clearing shipments.
This practice was discontinued due to a lack of funds, as cited by the ECG board.
Despite financial challenges, ECG awarded contracts to two firms to clear the containers—one of which was pre-financed by ECG.–
One of the contracted companies did not have the necessary license to handle the contract, raising procurement violation concerns.
ECG’s procurement directorate had been merged with its Housing and Estate unit.
The Director of Procurement had no prior experience in procurement and was not a member of any professional procurement body.
The investigation, launched following the minister’s visit to the port in January 2025, estimates the liabilities linked to the missing containers at GH₵1.5 billion.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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