The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has exposed procurement violations and potential corruption within the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), following revelations that over 1,300 containers meant for the power distributor have disappeared from Tema Port.
Speaking on TV3’s KeyPoints on March 29, 2025, Mr. Jinapor attributed the scandal to systemic procurement irregularities within the Energy Ministry, particularly under the previous Akufo-Addo administration. He promised to disclose further details soon.
“The level of procurement infractions within the Energy Ministry is shocking. I will be providing more details soon,” he stated.
Out of the 1,300 missing containers, only 40 have been retrieved, raising concerns over significant irregularities in the procurement process. Mr. Jinapor suggested that a cartel-like operation within ECG facilitated these losses and called for a forensic audit to trace the missing containers and hold all responsible parties accountable.
“The ECG has procured items well beyond legal limits. We need a forensic audit to trace the missing containers and bring all responsible individuals to book,” he asserted.
The Minister further highlighted financial mismanagement within the power sector, noting that procurement overspending has escalated since 2022. In 2023 alone, ECG procured items worth GH₵8.3 billion—far exceeding the approved budget of GH₵935 million.
Mr. Jinapor assured that investigations would extend beyond ECG to assess the broader procurement framework within the Energy Ministry. He stressed the need for reforms, including restructuring ECG’s procurement unit and strengthening oversight mechanisms to prevent further financial losses.
Echoing these concerns, economic analyst Senyo Hosi described the scandal as a “systematic failure of governance” and called for swift action.
“Every person responsible for this must be held accountable. A thorough forensic audit is necessary to unearth the real culprits,” Mr. Hosi urged.
The unfolding revelations have intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability within the power sector, as stakeholders await further disclosures from the Energy Minister.
