Container-Theft Allegations Rock Tema Port as Importers Report Missing Consignments

A suspected syndicate involved in the alleged illegal removal and diversion of containers from the Tema Port has come under investigation following the arrest of several persons reportedly linked to the operation.

The matter came to light over the weekend after an aggrieved importer allegedly discovered his goods being offloaded from a container into a warehouse near the GHACEM area of Tema.

The discovery reportedly shocked the affected importers, some of whom said they had not yet completed the required customs and terminal procedures for their consignments.

According to information gathered from sources familiar with the development, approximately 25 containers carrying imported goods are alleged to have been removed from the port. As of Tuesday, September 22, only four of the containers had reportedly been traced.

National Security is said to be investigating the matter.

Cyanide among missing consignments

Of the four containers reportedly traced, two are said to contain cyanide. The development has heightened concerns over the whereabouts of the remaining consignments, particularly three other containers that are also believed to have carried the hazardous chemical.

The containers reportedly contained a range of imported goods, including cyanide, sardines, rice, ethanol, tinned tomatoes, condensed milk, black pepper and wax prints.

The goods were reportedly destined for Burkina Faso, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire.

Some affected importers are said to have confronted individuals allegedly connected to the removal of the consignments before reporting the matter to the Regional Police Command at the Harbour.

Several suspects were subsequently arrested. Sources claim that during questioning, some of the suspects admitted involvement in the alleged operation and made references to individuals within the port who were purportedly involved in moving the containers.

The circumstances surrounding the subsequent release of the suspects have also raised questions, with sources alleging that persons described as the alleged masterminds may have played a role in securing their release. These claims have not been independently established.

Containers allegedly disappear after interception

The situation reportedly took another turn on Saturday, September 19, when attempts were made to move some of the containers to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority terminal at Kpone.

According to sources, officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the police intercepted some of the containers.

The intercepted containers were reportedly escorted to a regional office, where they were secured and locked pending further action.

However, sources claim that the containers had disappeared by the following morning.

According to the accounts provided, the containers were allegedly moved before dawn on Sunday, September 20, despite having been intercepted and secured.

The circumstances surrounding the reported removal remain unclear.

The development has raised questions about how containers under the control or observation of law-enforcement authorities could allegedly be moved without detection.

Investigators are expected to establish who authorized or facilitated the movement and whether any officials or private operators were involved.

About 21 containers reportedly unaccounted for

Sources familiar with the investigation told The Herald that of the approximately 25 containers allegedly removed from the port, only four had been located by Tuesday, September 22.

The remaining containers are alleged to have been opened and their contents sold.

One source said:

“They took 25 containers. Out of the 25, only four have been seen. The rest have been sold.”

The source further claimed that the consignments were transit cargo and had not accumulated demurrage charges, raising additional questions about why the goods would allegedly have been removed and sold.

Affected importers reportedly made efforts between Friday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 22, to recover their consignments, but many of the expected goods had not been returned.

One importer identified by sources as Zongo is said to have made payments relating to 16 of the containers before the consignments were allegedly removed, opened and emptied.

Sources also claimed that shipping-line payments and relevant port charges had been settled on some of the containers.

Questions have consequently been raised about how the containers could allegedly have been removed without completing the normal customs and terminal procedures.

Concerns over missing cyanide

The alleged disappearance of the containers carrying cyanide has become one of the most serious aspects of the case.

According to information gathered by The Herald, five containers were believed to contain cyanide. Only two of those containers have reportedly been located with their contents still inside.

The whereabouts of the cyanide from the remaining containers are unknown.

Some sources have expressed concern that the chemical could potentially have been diverted to illegal mining operations, commonly referred to as galamsey sites. However, there is currently no publicly established evidence confirming where the missing cyanide has gone.

Given the hazardous nature of cyanide, its reported disappearance is expected to be a major focus of the investigation.

Questions over customs procedures

Sources have also alleged that some of the containers had not passed through the required UCL process before being removed from the port and offloaded elsewhere.

There are further claims that individuals allegedly connected to the removal subsequently sought assistance from Customs officials to obtain permits that could retrospectively regularise the movement of the goods.

According to the sources, Customs officials have declined to issue such permits.

The alleged refusal has reportedly frustrated attempts to regularise the movement of the containers.

Investigators will therefore have to determine how the consignments left the port, what documentation accompanied them and whether any official processes were bypassed.

Names emerge in the investigation

At the centre of allegations from some affected importers is Prince Awudu, whom sources identify as Chairman of the Confiscated Assets Committee.

According to The Herald’s sources, some of the arrested persons initially told investigators that Prince Awudu had instructed them to move certain containers to Kpone, while the contents of others were allegedly to be sold and the proceeds taken to his office.

However, the accounts reportedly changed during questioning.

One suspect is said to have initially mentioned Prince Awudu but later identified Alfred Tutu as the person who allegedly instructed him to move some of the containers and sell the contents of others.

Alfred Tutu was reportedly contacted and asked to report to the police on Tuesday, September 22, after investigators allegedly indicated that they had been unable to locate him.

These allegations remain subject to investigation, and no conclusion can properly be drawn about the involvement of any individual without evidence and due process.

Former committee chairman’s name also mentioned

There have also been attempts to link the alleged operation to Dogbatse, the former Chairman of the Confiscated Assets Committee.

However, sources cited by The Herald have disputed any connection between Dogbatse and the alleged operation, insisting that he had no knowledge of the matter and had not returned to the port since leaving office.

One source, defending the former chairman, said:

“He never does something like this.”

The claim that Dogbatse was not involved remains an assertion from the source and would require independent verification.

Alleged offer of US$2 million

Another allegation emerging from the controversy is that some individuals connected to the missing consignments allegedly attempted to contain the fallout by offering affected importers approximately US$2 million.

Sources claim that the offer was rejected.

The same sources repeatedly mentioned Prince Awudu in connection with the controversy and also referred to an individual identified as Afari as someone associated with him.

Again, these are allegations from sources and have not been independently established.

Questions over terminal operations

Questions have also been raised about the role of personnel responsible for terminal operations.

Some sources allege that certain containers were removed without following normal terminal procedures and argue that such movement could not have occurred without the knowledge or cooperation of individuals working within the terminal.

One source alleged:

“This is being done together with the terminal manager; they are acting together.”

The allegation has not been independently verified, and the role, if any, of terminal management or staff remains a matter for investigators to establish.

Importers demand answers

The reported disappearance of the consignments has angered several affected importers, including Chinese traders whose goods are reportedly among those missing.

Some of the Chinese owners are said to be in Ghana seeking information about their consignments and demanding answers regarding how the containers could have left the port.

The controversy could also have implications for confidence in Ghana’s ports and transit-cargo system, particularly because the affected consignments were reportedly destined for neighbouring countries.

Importers are questioning how containers could allegedly be removed, opened and their contents sold despite payments to shipping lines, settlement of port charges and the existence of documentation relating to the cargo.

Key questions for investigators

The investigation will need to establish several critical issues, including:

• Who authorized the removal of the containers?

• How did the containers leave the Tema Port?

• Who transported and received the consignments?

• Where are the missing goods?

• Who allegedly benefited from the sale of the contents?

• Were any customs, port or terminal officials involved?

• How were containers reportedly moved after being intercepted and secured?

• What happened to the cyanide from the missing containers?

• Were any documents or permits falsified, improperly issued or subsequently sought to regularise the movements?

• What measures can be taken to recover the missing consignments and protect transit cargo?

With only four of the approximately 25 containers reportedly traced, considerable uncertainty remains about the whereabouts of the other consignments.

The affected importers are seeking the recovery of their goods or appropriate redress for their losses.

For Ghana’s port authorities, Customs and law-enforcement agencies, the case represents a significant test of the controls governing transit cargo and the ability of the system to prevent unauthorized removal of containers before legitimate customs and terminal procedures have been completed.

A comprehensive investigation will be necessary to establish the facts, identify anyone responsible and determine how the alleged operation was able to take place.

However, one Oklu has been transferred with immediate effect.