Accra, Ghana — In a startling revelation that has rocked Ghana’s commercial packaging sector, ePac Flexible Packaging West Africa, a subsidiary of a U.S.-based flexible packaging giant, has been dragged before the Accra High Court (Commercial Division) by logistics and merchandise company, Fafameso, over allegations of fraud and gross misconduct in a packaging contract.
The fraud, which was uncovered on November 28, 2024, came to light after Fafameso, acting on behalf of the Kpakpakpa Market, discovered discrepancies in the quantity and quality of packaged rice delivered by ePac.
WhatsApp evidence chats and internal correspondence reportedly reveal incriminating responses from Victor Sosah, General Manager of ePac West Africa, sparking public outrage and raising questions about corporate accountability in the sector.
Here are some of the chats that exposed Victor Sosah:
ePac Flexible Packaging West Africa
Victor Sosah is an industrialist and co-founder of ePac West Africa, an industry leader in digitally printed flexible packaging, serving brands of all sizes in particular small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).
He is also the co-founder of Pouch Paper Packaging Ltd, an environmentally sustainable packaging solution company.
Victor is passionate about helping local brands stand out and be successful in promoting locally manufactured products.
Before establishing ePac West Africa, Victor was the Commercial Director for Hess Exploration Ghana, where he led in-country commercial activities for the development of the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points contract area.
He was a member of the leadership team managing the local office and implementing business strategy to progress the development of a multi-billion-dollar asset program.
Victor was also the Commercial Advisor to the Board of Ghana National Gas Company and led the negotiations for the title transfer of Jubilee natural gas to the national gas company.
He has also provided advisory services across Europe, Middle East and Africa on energy related projects.
Victor has proven business skills underpinned by well-developed commercial, finance, risk analysis and transaction management capabilities in the oil and gas sector.
As the Head of Energy Infrastructure and Director at Fitch Ratings, he rated the Nigerian LNG transaction and the maiden oil and gas project finance transaction in Russia.
Victor is a trained process design engineer with a degree in chemical engineering from University College London and an MBA from MIT-Sloan School, Cambridge Massachusetts (USA).
About ePac USA
ePac USA is a global flexible packaging company specializing in custom-printed solutions for brands of all sizes.
It is currently located in 8233 Forsythia St #116, Middleton, WI 53562, United States.
Founded in 2016, ePac utilizes digital printing technology to offer products like stand-up pouches, lay-flat pouches, and rollstock.
They serve various industries with a focus on small to medium-sized businesses, providing short-run, high-quality packaging with fast turnaround times.
Key Features of ePac USA:
- Digital Printing Technology:
ePac is known for its use of digital printing, enabling them to offer high-quality, custom-printed flexible packaging for short runs. - Global Network:
ePac has a network of manufacturing plants across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa, with plans for further expansion.
- Print-on-Demand:
Their system allows customers to print to demand, reducing inventory costs and obsolescence.
- Focus on Sustainability:
ePac offers sustainable film options and utilizes a carbon-neutral printing technology. - Variety of Products:
They offer a range of flexible packaging solutions, including stand-up pouches, lay-flat pouches, rollstock, and sachet packaging. - Fast Turnaround Times:
ePac aims for quick turnaround times, offering 5-15 business days for different products. - Globally Distributed:
ePac has a global presence with multiple manufacturing plants in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
In essence, ePac USA is a technology-driven flexible packaging company that provides a quick and easy way for brands to access custom-printed packaging solutions, with a focus on small to medium-sized businesses and a commitment to sustainability and global reach.
The Allegations
Fafameso alleges that it engaged ePac to receive, package, and deliver rice in 1kg branded pouches for retail distribution.
Specifically, 60 sacks of rice, each weighing 50kg, were supplied to ePac by Agro Kings for packaging—a total of 3,000kg, expected to result in 3,000 units of 1kg bags.
However, the plaintiff discovered that only 2,863 bags were received, resulting in a shortage of 137 bags, and further analysis revealed that many of the bags delivered were underweight.
“This is not just a one-off case. If a reputable brand like ePac, with international ties in the USA, is leveraging clients’ busy schedules to cover up delivery shortfalls, it begs the question—how many other businesses have fallen victim to such calculated schemes?” a concerned industry observer questioned.
Moldy Rice, Missing Bags, and Misappropriated Goods
When confronted, ePac claimed that part of the rice supplied was moldy and had to be discarded—without informing or receiving consent from the plaintiff.
Upon insistence, the defendant later admitted to retaining three full sacks of rice from the plaintiff’s stock and distributing them among ePac staff as Christmas gifts, further aggravating the client.
Fafameso also claims to have paid for the production of 3,210 pouches but only received 2,863 filled pouches and 30 unused ones.
Adding to the controversy, Fafameso alleges that ePac shared their original packaging design, which was fully paid for and classified as the plaintiff’s intellectual property, with a third party—one Dr. Adotey Anum—for unauthorized duplication.
Legal Claims and Court Proceedings
Fafameso has filed a civil suit against ePac West Africa, seeking the recovery of:
GHC 507,091.50.
