Energy Minister John Jinapor has revealed alarming financial mismanagement at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), highlighting a pattern of massive overspending that has severely impacted the company’s resources.
According to the Minister, ECG’s planned procurement in 2014 was GH¢1.397 billion, but actual spending soared to GH¢8.2 billion by the end of the year.
A similar trend occurred in 2023, when ECG budgeted under GH¢1 billion for procurement but ended up spending GH¢8.3 billion—exceeding the budget by over GH¢7.3 billion.
“This represents a staggering 700 percent increase over what was budgeted”.
Jinapor emphasized, “In 2022, ECG procured GH¢1.3 billion worth of items. By 2023, it had skyrocketed to GH¢8.3 billion, and in 2024, it was GH¢8.2 billion. This reckless over-expenditure has crippled ECG financially”.
Adding to the controversy, National Security operatives have arrested 14 individuals, including 10 Chinese nationals and 4 Ghanaians, in connection with the disappearance of over 1,300 containers belonging to ECG.
The containers, which contained essential electrical equipment, were reported missing from the Tema Port.
Jinapor assured Ghanaians that the government is taking decisive action to hold those responsible accountable.
“In simple terms, I want my containers—simple as that,” he declared. “Wherever they are, we will trace them. Those we have apprehended will not just be prosecuted; we will go to court, seek an order to sell their assets, and use the money to invest in the grid system to make power delivery more reliable.”
