The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has successfully resolved the controversy over its previously reported missing containers, with both former and acting Managing Directors confirming that all containers have now been traced and over 1,000 retrieved from the Tema Port.

Samuel Dubik Mahama, the former Managing Director of ECG, expressed relief that the matter had finally been brought to a close, stressing that the outcome clearly shows no theft was involved. He commended the current management for their diligence, stating: “I'm glad that we are all seeing the end of this matter. And it doesn't sound like anybody took a container away.”

Ing. Julius Kpekpena, the acting Managing Director of ECG, also confirmed the retrieval efforts while briefing Parliament's Energy Committee on the company’s operations. He highlighted the substantial progress made since May, when many containers were initially untraceable, noting that over a thousand have now been successfully moved from the port. Beyond logistics, Kpekpena added that ECG has intensified measures to curb power outages and stabilize electricity supply, with a firm commitment to avoid a return to previous levels of instability.

The container controversy originated from an investigative report which revealed a significant discrepancy in ECG’s inventory. Out of 2,491 uncleared containers ECG claimed to have at the Tema Port, an independent audit found only 1,134 — leaving 1,347 unaccounted for. These containers, containing essential cables and equipment, were crucial to ECG’s operations. Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, chairman of the investigation committee, presented these findings to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor.

Several underlying issues contributed to the saga. Before 2022, ECG maintained a dedicated fund for weekly container clearance, but this practice was discontinued by the board citing lack of funds. The investigation further uncovered procurement breaches, including contracts awarded to two firms for clearance — one pre-financed by ECG and another lacking the required license to execute the contract. Structural anomalies were also identified: ECG’s procurement directorate was merged with its Housing and Estate unit, and its director reportedly had no prior procurement experience or professional body membership.

Reflecting on the incident, Mr. Mahama suggested that misinformation and “gossip aimed at maligning someone” fueled the initial panic. He cautioned against hastily blaming the Energy Minister, emphasizing instead the need for proper information flow and objective decision-making in the power sector. He urged ECG management to rely on “facts” rather than “waves and caprices” and to focus on collective efforts to grow the company.

Mr. Mahama reiterated that the containers were not “missing” but rather “misplaced” and acknowledged the crucial collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority in their retrieval. He further called for a more positive public perception of ECG’s ongoing efforts to stabilize both its logistics and power supply operations.