Energy Minister Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor Exposes GHS 17 Billion ECG Procurement Scandal

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, has disclosed alarming financial mismanagement at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), revealing that over GHS 17 billion was spent on procurement in violation of the Public Procurement Act.

Presenting his investigative report on ECG’s procurement activities under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration in Parliament, the Energy Minister John Jinapor highlighted that between 2022 and 2024, ECG acquired 2,500 containers, significantly exceeding budgetary allocations. The report exposes how the company’s procurement costs ballooned, severely straining its financial health.

According to him, ECG’s approved procurement budget for the year 2024 was GHS 1.397 billion. However, actual expenditure escalated to GHS 8.2 billion, surpassing the approved amount. A similar trend was observed in 2023, where an initial budget of less than GHS 1 billion skyrocketed to GHS 8.3 billion, exceeding the allocation by over GHS 7.3 billion.

“This represents a staggering 700 percent increase over what was budgeted,” Minister Jinapor remarked. “In 2022, ECG’s procurement amounted to GHS 1.3 billion. By 2023, it had soared to GHS 8.3 billion, and in 2024, it stood at GHS 8.2 billion. This reckless over-expenditure has crippled ECG financially,” he lamented.

He also disclosed that investigations have revealed that out of the acclaimed 2500 containers procured, 1,328 went missing, and several remaining containers have also been tampered with, raising serious accountability concerns. Some of these containers have been tracked to private warehouses, where their contents are allegedly being melted into aluminum bars for export.

Minister Jinapor confirmed that security agencies have traced 40 of the missing containers to a warehouse in Pong-Tamale, a community in the Savelugu-Nanton District of the Northern Region.

“The briefing I received this morning indicates that National Security and law enforcement agencies have located about 40 containers in a warehouse belonging to an Indian businessman. These have been confiscated and are being moved to a secured location,” he stated.

The Indian businessman has claimed that he purchased the containers last year, but the matter is now under criminal investigation. Security operatives continue to pursue leads to recover the remaining missing containers.

Arrests Made Amid Ongoing Investigations

As part of the ongoing probe, fourteen individuals, including ten Chinese nationals and four Ghanaians, have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of over 1,300 containers. Reports indicate that twelve Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian were arrested in an intelligence-led operation targeting two aluminum smelting companies in Shai Hills.

Cables believed to be part of the missing consignment were traced to an aluminum smelter owned by the Chinese, situated opposite the Shai Hills Game Reserve. These cables were reportedly being melted into aluminum bars for export. National Security operatives are also on a manhunt for another Chinese national who is currently on the run.

Government Vows to Prosecute Perpetrators

Minister Jinapor assured the public that the government is committed to bringing all those involved in the scandal to justice. He revealed that each container procured by ECG has a unique serial number and is documented in the system before leaving the port, making it possible to track and recover the missing items. He has formally requested the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to expedite efforts in retrieving the necessary documents to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

“When we begin prosecuting these individuals, let nobody claim we are engaging in witch-hunting. These are state assets, and we will use every legal avenue to recover them and hold those responsible accountable,” he emphasized.

The disappearance of the ECG containers has sparked widespread public concern regarding the management of state resources. Minister Jinapor reiterated that all efforts would be made to stabilize ECG’s finances and ensure transparency in future procurement processes.

“In simple terms, I want my containers back, simple as that,” he declared. “Wherever they are, we will find them. Those who have been apprehended will not only face prosecution but also have their assets seized to compensate for the financial losses incurred.”

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan, Director of Investigations at the National Security Council Secretariat, clarified that no Indian national has been arrested in connection with the ECG missing containers. He confirmed that the 14 individuals apprehended consist of ten Chinese nationals and four Ghanaians.

As investigations continue, the government remains resolute in its pursuit of justice, with the overarching goal of safeguarding public funds and ensuring accountability within state institutions.

Minority Leader Reacts to ECG Scandal Report

The Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who previously served as Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), responded to the report presented by the Energy Minister, stating that during his tenure, he once questioned a document submitted to him. However, the response he received from the presenters of the document was, “That is how it is done here.” Faced with this response, he chose not to challenge the status quo further.

Hon. Afenyo-Markin expressed his full support for the ongoing investigation and emphasized that the matter should not be politicized. He urged authorities to ensure that those responsible for the financial mismanagement and irregularities are held accountable for their actions.

Hon. Felix Ofosu Kwakye retorted by dismissing calls for a separate investigation into the ongoing ECG procurement probe, arguing that the current inquiry on which the report is based was already thorough and credible. He questioned the rationale behind initiating another investigation into a matter that had already been scrutinized.

“If the Minority Leader is well aware of the processes that took place, why is he now demanding a new investigation into an investigation?” Hon. Ofosu Kwakye asked. “This House is tasked with serious legislative duties, and we should not allow unnecessary duplication of efforts. The Minister of Energy has been clear that appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation, so I find it surprising that my colleagues on the other side are attempting to obstruct this process.”

As the investigation unfolds, no former ECG officials from the previous administration have been arrested. The pressing question remains: How soon will this report yield tangible results? Share your thoughts with us.

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