Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director in charge of Operations at the Presidency, has sparked controversy by demanding the arrest of three key figures connected to the ongoing scandal involving the disappearance of over 1,300 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at the Tema Port.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday, Mustapha Gbande called for the immediate detention of Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the former Board Chairman of ECG; Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the former Energy Minister; and Samuel Dubik Mahama, the former CEO of ECG, in connection with the missing containers.
The missing containers, which were reportedly shipped into Ghana to aid ECG’s operations, were said to have vanished under suspicious circumstances, leading to grave concerns over potential procurement irregularities and a lack of accountability within the company.
According to reports, the containers were intended to support ECG’s national power distribution efforts, but instead became the subject of controversy after being linked to questionable transactions. It was alleged that several high-ranking government officials and ECG executives had knowledge of improper handling of the containers but failed to act.
In his statement, Gbande emphasized the urgent need for justice, asserting that the individuals involved must be held accountable for their roles in the disappearance of critical equipment intended for the country’s energy infrastructure.
“The situation is dire,” Gbande stated. “It’s time we hold these individuals responsible for their actions, as the nation cannot afford to let these types of corrupt practices slide. Afenyo-Markin is trying to distance himself from his responsibility in this matter, but the truth will come out. We cannot allow this level of corruption to continue in the country’s leadership.”
The call for the arrest of the three former officials has sent shockwaves through the country, with many questioning the level of oversight and accountability in key government sectors, particularly in the management of state-owned enterprises like ECG.
While Gbande’s demand for arrests has received support from those calling for greater transparency and justice, others have raised concerns about the potential political implications of such high-profile arrests, considering the individuals’ past roles in government and their significant positions within the country’s political landscape.
The scandal has led to mounting calls for a thorough investigation into the handling of the missing containers, with many urging for a broader examination of procurement processes and governance at ECG. There have been questions about how the alleged mismanagement was able to go unnoticed for so long and why proper action was not taken earlier to address the situation.
As the investigation progresses, the focus will be on determining the full extent of the mismanagement and holding those responsible accountable, while also reassessing the country’s approach to public sector oversight.
The government has yet to officially respond to Gbande’s statements, and it remains to be seen whether any legal action will be taken against the individuals named in the scandal. However, the mounting pressure on the authorities to act swiftly and decisively will likely shape the coming weeks of national discourse on corruption and governance.
