The Member of Parliament for Asene Akroso Manso Constituency, George Kwame Aboagye, has raised concerns over the disappearance of 1,328 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

In a statement delivered on the floor of Parliament on Friday, March 28, 2025, the MP described the situation as a major regulatory and security concern, calling for urgent action to address what he sees as a failure of accountability and oversight at the nation’s ports.

Citing an investigative report chaired by Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, Kwame Aboagye noted that out of 2,491 uncleared ECG containers at the ports, a staggering 1,328 remain unaccounted for.

He emphasized that this lapse highlights inefficiencies among key agencies responsible for port operations, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ports Authority, shipping lines, freight forwarders, and national security and customs officers.

"This indicates that all the security departments and government agencies responsible for efficient operations and accountability at the port are not functioning effectively," he stated.

The MP outlined the multi-step process of clearing goods at Ghana’s ports, noting that it involves proper documentation, payment of duties, customs inspections, and the physical release of goods.

While designed to ensure compliance with import regulations, he argued that the complexity of the process may be exploited if oversight is lax.

To address the issue, Kwame Aboagye proposed a series of immediate and long-term measures.

He called for a comprehensive investigation involving port authorities, ECG officials, and law enforcement to trace the missing containers and determine whether they were stolen, tampered with, or misplaced.

"If the investigation uncovers negligence, fraud, or criminal activity, responsible parties—whether individuals within ECG, port officials, or businesses—must be held accountable," he insisted.

Among his recommendations, the MP advocated for stricter penalties for theft or tampering with containers to serve as a deterrent, as well as enhanced collaboration between the ports and police to combat any criminal elements involved. He also urged the adoption of stronger internal controls and improved security measures to prevent future losses.

In conclusion, Kwame Aboagye urged the Speaker of Parliament to establish an ad hoc committee to thoroughly investigate the matter and provide recommendations to prevent a recurrence.

"The issue of missing ECG containers at the ports is a serious one that requires both immediate action and long-term structural changes," he said.

"A combination of better security, stronger internal controls, collaboration with law enforcement, and greater transparency can go a long way in addressing the root causes of the problem," he added.

In response to the MP's statement and the call for an ad hoc committee, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, insisted that his ministry, based on the Prof. Acquah Committee report, is already taking steps to prevent such illegal activities and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

"This is a House of records, so I am being very cautious. I’ve received numerous briefings and am beginning to identify those behind this. This has been happening for years, but I will put a stop to it immediately.

"And, Mr. Speaker, it will not only stop; we will retrieve the missing containers and materials, prosecute the perpetrators, and recover the lost funds," he declared.

GA/MA

Also watch Kade MP addresses shortcomings of 2025 budget and current developments within NPP