14 arrested over missing ECG containers at port

National Security is investigating missing containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). They have arrested 14 people, including 10 foreign nationals and four Ghanaians.

This information was revealed on March 28. Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor visited Dangfang Company Ltd and Ponlok Manufacturing Company Ltd. He also checked a warehouse at Kpone to see the missing cables found by National Security.

"We will prosecute anyone responsible for the missing 1,300 containers," said Mr. Jinapor. He added that the ministry might seek a court order to sell assets of those arrested. The proceeds would help improve the national electricity grid.

During his visit, Mr. Jinapor toured smelting facilities where ECG cables were being converted into aluminum rods for export. At Kpone, he saw a large warehouse filled with suspected ECG cables.

A committee investigating containers at Tema Port found over 1,300 unaccounted for since January. This led to security agencies discovering cables in factories.

Mr. Jinapor stated that these disappearances have been happening since 2019 due to a syndicate. He is determined to dismantle this group and pursue all involved organizations.

He emphasized that these are ECG cables meant for use by the company but ended up being smelted illegally. The minister condemned political attempts to exploit this issue, affirming his commitment to justice.

"Since 2019, this crime has affected the state," he said. "We will find and retrieve these containers."

Mr. Jinapor assured that with support from security agencies, they would track down the perpetrators using serial numbers and manifests of the containers.

In previous years, ECG's procurement plans were significantly exceeded. In 2014, they planned $1.397 billion but spent $8.2 billion instead.

In 2023, their planned procurement was under $1 billion but reached $8.3 billion by year-end. In 2024, they again procured $8.2 billion beyond their approved budget.

"This leads to unnecessary overspending and issues with clearing goods," he explained.

Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan from National Security accompanied Mr. Jinapor during his factory visits. He noted that some arrested individuals attempted to influence security personnel but were unsuccessful.

So far, authorities have arrested ten foreign nationals and four Ghanaians related to the missing containers.

Alhassan mentioned they could not specify how many containers had been retrieved yet because recovered cables were not in containers.

"We have retrieved some quantity of cables but cannot quantify them as containers," he said about ongoing investigations into other items like transformers.