Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has reiterated the government’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for procurement violations and the disappearance of over 1,300 shipping containers filled with assets belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Speaking during an inspection of warehouses where the missing cables were discovered, Mr. Jinapor condemned the illegal repurposing of ECG materials.
“Clearly, as you can see, these are ECG cables. They are meant to be used by ECG, but they end up in these factories, where they are melted down to produce aluminium rods. That is criminal,” he stated.
The minister made these remarks on Friday, March 28, 2025, during visits to Dangfang Company Ltd, Ponlok Manufacturing Company Ltd near Shai Hills, and a warehouse in Kpone. Accompanied by Energy Ministry officials, he toured smelting facilities where cable drums marked as ECG property were being melted for export.
He assured that authorities would track the missing containers using their serial numbers and manifests.
“We will do everything we can to trace these containers because they have serial numbers and manifests. We will ensure that the law takes its course,” he vowed.
Beyond the missing cables, Mr. Jinapor also criticized ECG’s financial mismanagement, citing reckless procurement practices that have severely impacted the company’s finances.
“They engaged in frivolous over-expenditure, procuring items they did not have the money to clear, and that is what has brought us to this point,” he noted.
Highlighting the scale of the issue, he revealed shocking figures:
“The same thing happened in 2023. Their planned procurement was less than $1 billion, yet they ended up procuring $8.3 billion—more than $7.3 billion over the approved amount. In 2023, they procured $8.3 billion; in 2024, they procured $8.2 billion. This is over 700% more than what was approved.”
The government has pledged swift action to address these irregularities and restore financial discipline within ECG.
