The Ministry of Energy has revealed significant lapses in the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) inventory and procurement systems, disclosing that 54 shipping containers remain unaccounted for despite the successful tracing of 2,637 containers at the Tema Port.

Speaking on Citi FM on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Richmond Rockson, said a special committee comprising representatives from National Security, the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority was formed to trace the missing containers.

Out of the 2,637 containers linked to ECG, 2,583 have been physically verified. These are distributed across several terminals: 860 at Meridian Port Services, 1,237 at GPHA terminals, 272 held by National Security, 194 at Amaris Terminal, and 20 at Atlas Manufacturing Terminal.

However, 54 containers are still missing, with investigations ongoing to determine their whereabouts and contents.

The audit was prompted by concerns raised in March 2025 by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, over ECG’s inability to account for 2,491 containers at the port. Initially, transition team reports estimated 3,000 unaccounted containers, a figure later revised to 2,491. At the time of the probe, only 1,134 had been verified, leaving 1,357 containers untraced.

Mr. Rockson noted that the inconsistencies highlight serious flaws in ECG’s inventory system. “We discovered containers ECG had no record of, and at the same time, some listed in their inventory were nowhere to be found,” he said. He also revealed procurement irregularities, including purchases of equipment that were already available in stock.

The missing and delayed containers are said to contain vital electrical components and materials needed for power distribution. Due to extended delays, 2,437 of the traced containers have accrued significant demurrage charges, as they have remained uncleared beyond the 60-day limit. So far, only 40 containers have been cleared, while 2,597 remain at the port.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has since directed ECG to relocate all retrieved containers to secure storage facilities and conduct a comprehensive inventory to verify their contents.

Mr. Rockson further disclosed troubling findings — including equipment left unused in warehouses for over a decade and others auctioned off without clarity on processes.

In response, the Energy Minister has instructed ECG to halt all non-essential procurement and adopt a new system that requires suppliers to clear and deliver goods directly, bypassing ECG’s internal logistics handling.

The investigation is ongoing, and both current and former ECG officials are under scrutiny. The Attorney-General’s office is expected to determine the appropriate legal action once the full report is completed.