1,347 ECG containers vanish from Tema Port amid procurement irregularities

A staggering 1,347 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have vanished from the Tema Port, according to a recent investigative report.

This shocking revelation came to light when an independent audit at the port uncovered a significant discrepancy between the number of containers ECG claimed to have and the actual number present. While ECG initially reported 2,491 uncleared containers filled with essential equipment, the audit found only 1,134 containers, leaving 1,347 unaccounted for.

The investigation, led by Professor Innocent Senyo Acquah, exposed several alarming irregularities, including the awarding of contracts to two firms to clear the containers, one of which was pre-financed by ECG, despite the company’s financial constraints.

Furthermore, one of these companies lacked the necessary license to handle the contract, raising concerns over procurement violations.

The report also revealed that ECG’s procurement directorate had been merged with its Housing and Estate unit, and the Director of Procurement had no prior experience in procurement and was not a member of any professional procurement body.

Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, described the situation as “alarming” and assured that a full-scale investigation would be conducted to track down the missing containers or recover their monetary value.

He stated, “The over 1,300 containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

Hon. Jinapor also pledged to separate ECG’s procurement unit within a week and introduce urgent reforms to prevent future irregularities.

The investigation estimates liabilities linked to the missing containers at GH₵1.5 billion, a staggering amount that underscores the severity of the situation.