Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has revealed alleged collusion between some staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and customs officials in the sale of containers filled with vital electrical materials upon arrival at the port.
His revelation follows the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 1,350 ECG containers at the Tema Port. So far, about 10 Chinese nationals and four Ghanaians have been arrested in an intelligence-led operation by National Security.
Reacting to the situation, Afenyo-Markin noted that such incidents were not new, recalling similar cases during his tenure as ECG Board Chairman.
“How can containers that have already arrived at the port be said to be missing? The truth is, when these containers arrive, customs officials collude with others to sell them.
“These containers, which contain cables and materials urgently needed by ECG, are sold off after the supplier has been paid, only to be resold back to ECG. Are we pretending we don’t know this is happening?” he stated.
Calling for decisive action, he urged the government to adopt a non-partisan approach and focus on tackling corruption.
“If we continue to approach this as an NPP versus NDC issue, we are doomed. Whether the NPP or the NDC is in power, the same problems will arise, and the perpetrators will remain entrenched in the system,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the impact of corruption on local businesses, accusing the government of favouring foreign companies while Ghanaian businesses struggle.
“Today, Ghanaian businesses can’t rest under the new government, while foreign businesses continue to survive because their ambassadors are there to protect them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abura Asebu Kwamankese MP and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has refuted claims that the containers went missing under the current government, asserting that the issue originated during the previous NPP administration.
“There are well-known facts about this case, which are already in the public domain. The incidents occurred during the NPP’s time in government, not under the current administration.
“Since this issue became public, there has been an attempt to distort the facts and make it seem like this is a new development under this government. I have the report here in front of me, and it will be submitted as evidence,” he emphasized.
Mr. Ofosu also criticised the Minority for calling for a reinvestigation, arguing that the matter had already been thoroughly examined under the previous administration.
“We are not reinventing the wheel here,” he said. “The investigation has already been conducted, and the report exists. The call for a new investigation seems like an attempt to divert attention from the real issues,” he stated.