The disappearance of over 1,300 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has led to the arrest of 12 Chinese and a Ghanaian.
Twelve Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian were arrested by National Security operatives in connection with the missing ECG containers at the Tema Port.
The suspects, who are linked to two aluminum smelting companies located in Shai Hills, were arrested on Thursday during an intelligence-led operation.
Chief Supt. Alhasan Osman, Director of Investigation at the National Security, gave details on the arrest.
The suspects were apprehended following a detailed investigation into the mysterious missing consignments.
The controversy surrounding the missing containers emerged after an investigative report revealed that ECG had failed to clear 2,491 containers at the Tema Port, with an independent audit uncovering a shocking discrepancy.
Only 1,134 containers were found, leaving 1,347 unaccounted for.
The consignments, which included vital electrical cables and transformers, were said to be critical to ECG’s operations, and their disappearance raised alarms across the nation.
The breakthrough in the investigation came when authorities traced cables linked to the missing containers to an aluminum smelting facility in Shai Hills, owned by a Chinese company.
The National Security operatives acted swiftly on this intelligence, leading to the arrests of the Chinese nationals and their Ghanaian accomplice.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor confirmed the arrests and gave an update during an interview on Thursday, March 27, 2025
Jinapor also revealed that authorities had recovered 40 of the missing containers from a terminal in Kpone, which had been traced to an Indian national.
According to John Jinapor, the Indian businessman claimed he had legally purchased the containers in 2024, but investigations were still ongoing to verify his statements.
“We have confiscated the 40 containers and moved them to a secured location for further investigation,” Jinapor stated.
However, the recent revelation of the missing containers belonging to the ECG has sparked widespread criticism and demands for accountability.
John Abdulai Jinapor has found himself at the center of the controversy, with many questioning his handling of the situation.
According to John Jinapor, the outgoing NPP administration initially reported that approximately 3,000 ECG containers were being held at the Tema Port due to the company’s inability to clear them.
However, upon assuming office, he visited the Port and was presented with a different figure of 2,500 containers, which had incurred a demurrage cost of GHS 1.5billion
“The discrepancy in these figures prompted me to establish an investigative committee to verify the circumstances surrounding the containers,” Jinapor explained.
“The committee’s report, which was presented to me, confirmed that over 1,300 containers were indeed missing—contrary to the narrative given by the previous administration.”
But the Minority in Parliament has expressed skepticism over Jinapor’s handling of the situation.
Former Deputy Energy Minister Collins Adomako Mensah stated, “Listening to my brother and friend, John Jinapor, I am as shocked as he is. The continuous vanishing of containers from the ports is not something you hear of very often.”
Adomako Mensah emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation, assuring that the Minority would support any measures aimed at uncovering the truth and restoring order to ECG’s operations.
“As the Minority Deputy Ranking on the Energy Committee, I want to assure him of our full cooperation to ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” he said.
The controversy has raised questions about Jinapor’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
The Minority has criticized Jinapor’s inconsistent stance on privatizing ECG, with some accusing him of reversing his position for political gain.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
