The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has revealed that 40 of the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) missing containers have been traced to a warehouse owned by an Indian national.
This discovery follows investigations by a committee established to probe the ECG’s procurement activities under the previous administration. According to Dr. Jinapor, these questionable transactions have resulted in significant financial losses to the state.
Dr. Jinapor explained that the ECG engaged in what he described as “frivolous procurements,” which led to approximately 3,000 ECG containers being stranded at the port, accumulating demurrage costs estimated at GHC 1.5 billion.
“It’s all because they are engaged in what I call very frivolous procurements,” Dr. Jinapor stated during an interview on TV3’s Hot Issues on February 16, 2025.
He noted that some of the purchased materials have a lifespan of just five years, while others would remain unused for a decade, highlighting poor procurement planning.
Audit Findings and Discovery
The investigative committee, chaired by Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, discovered discrepancies in the ECG’s records. While the ECG initially reported 2,491 uncleared containers filled with essential equipment, an independent audit revealed only 1,134 containers, leaving 1,347 containers unaccounted for.
During a recent interview on News Central on March 27, 2025, Dr. Jinapor praised National Security operatives and law enforcement agencies for their efforts in tracing 40 of the missing containers to a warehouse in Kpong, owned by an Indian national.
“The information I got this morning is that already, they’ve traced about 40 of them to a particular warehouse in Kpong, which belongs to an Indian man of extraction. They’ve confiscated all 40 containers and moved them to a secured location,” Dr. Jinapor confirmed.
The warehouse owner claimed the containers had been sold to him last year, a matter that is now under active investigation.
Broader Energy Sector Audit Planned
Dr. Jinapor also emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit of the energy sector, including a review of human resources and technical operations.
“So far, the preliminary reports I have gotten indicate that there’s massive rot at ECG,” he stated.
The Minister stressed that while PwC had conducted a financial audit, a deeper evaluation is required to expose inefficiencies and improve policy decisions.
The discovery of the missing containers marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to address financial mismanagement in the energy sector. Investigations are expected to continue as authorities work to recover additional missing containers and hold those responsible accountable.
