12 Chinese, Ghanaian arrested over missing ECG containers
Twelve (12) Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian have been arrested by Operatives of the National Security Secretariat in connection with the missing ECG containers from the Tema port.
The suspects, from two aluminum smelting companies located in Shai Hills, were apprehended during an operation based on intelligence.
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.
Prior to these arrest, John Jinapor, the minister for Energy and Green Transition revealed that 40 Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) containers had been retrieved by National Security from an Indian man.
According to John Jinapor, the containers were traced to a terminal warehouse in Kpone which belonged to an Indian man.who said the containers were sold to him in 2024.
Speaking on TV3, John Jinapor stated, “The briefing I got this morning and let me commend the National Security Operatives and the law enforcement agencies the information I got is that already they’ve traced about 40 of them to a particular terminal warehouse in Kpone, which belonged to an Indian man, and they have confiscated all the 40 containers and moved them to a secured location”.
The man indicates that those containers were sold to him last year and so that is a matter of investigation, and law enforcement agencies will ensure that the laws take their course”, he added.
He further stated, “There are also reports of some other areas where they are picking intelligence. They will trace and retrieve all of them and fish out the perpetrators before a court of competent jurisdiction”
“Let me just say that when we start prosecuting these people, let no one say that this is witch-hunting. These are properties of the state, and we will use every legitimate means to ensure that we retrieve them”, he emphasized.
Meanwhile, an investigative report carried out uncovered the containers supposed to be cleared at the Tema Port cannot be accounted for by the port authorities.
Prof Innocent Senyo Acquah, the chairman of the committee that conducted the investigation noted that the ECG claimed to have 2,491 uncleared containers that comprised cables as well as other equipment belonging to ECG.
According to an independent audit at the port, they found only 1,134, leaving 1,347 unaccounted for.
John Jinapor also stated they are going to work with the Attorney General and the Police to retrieve the containers or the monetary value of the same.
John Jinapor stated, “The over 1,300 containers cannot vanish into thin air. We will work with the AG and the Police to ensure those responsible are brought to book to retrieve the containers or the monetary value of the same”.
“It cannot be business as usual. We are not targeting anybody, but we will make sure whoever is responsible will be held liable,” he added.
He further announced that the procurement unit at ECG would be dissociated within a week and promised to commence swift, far-reaching measures to reform procurement procedures at the company.
Watch the video below:
Twelve Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian have been arrested by national security operatives in connection with the missing ECG containers at the Tema port.
The suspects, from two aluminum smelting companies located in Shai Hills, were apprehended during an operation today based… pic.twitter.com/qGbRgLSSxk
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) March 27, 2025
herh pic.twitter.com/eDQCzELceJ
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) March 27, 2025
