ECG’s Missing Containers Scandal: Here is what you need to know

A damning investigative report on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has uncovered significant procurement irregularities and financial mismanagement, raising serious concerns about the company’s operations. The findings, presented by Prof Innocent Senyo Acquah, chairman of the investigative committee, revealed that ECG could not account for more than 1,300 containers meant to be cleared from the Tema Port.

The report indicates that ECG initially claimed to have 2,491 uncleared containers containing cables and other critical equipment. However, an independent audit at the port identified only 1,134, leaving 1,347 containers missing without explanation. The total estimated liability from this issue stands at GH₵1.5 billion, a staggering figure that raises questions about financial oversight within the company.

One of the most alarming aspects of the report is the revelation that ECG had a dedicated fund for clearing these containers, which received weekly allocations before 2022. However, the ECG board later discontinued this practice, citing a lack of funds. This decision coincided with the awarding of contracts to two firms to clear the containers, with one company pre-financed by ECG. Further scrutiny revealed that one of these firms lacked the necessary licensing, pointing to clear procurement breaches and possible mismanagement of funds.

Adding to the governance concerns, the committee found that ECG’s procurement directorate had been merged with its Housing and Estate unit. Additionally, the Director of Procurement was found to have no prior experience in procurement and was not affiliated with any professional procurement body, raising doubts about the integrity of the company’s procurement decisions.

Reacting to the findings, Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, described the situation as alarming and pledged to take immediate action. He assured that a thorough investigation, in collaboration with the Attorney General and the Police, would be conducted to ensure accountability.

“The over 1,300 containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will work with the AG and the Police to ensure those responsible are held accountable and that the missing containers or their monetary value are retrieved,” he asserted.

In response to the procurement irregularities, the minister announced that ECG’s procurement unit would be decoupled within a week to prevent future lapses. He also vowed to implement swift reforms to tighten procurement processes and enforce transparency.

“This cannot be business as usual. We are not targeting anyone unfairly, but those responsible will be held liable,” he emphasized.

The investigation was initiated following Minister Jinapor’s visit to the port in January 2025, where he uncovered the uncleared containers. A five-member committee was subsequently tasked with examining ECG’s procurement practices and assessing the financial implications of the missing containers. With procurement lapses and financial mismanagement at the heart of the scandal, calls for urgent reforms within ECG are growing louder as the government moves to restore public trust in the company’s operations.

Source: GhanaNewsOnline