Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has called for a thorough investigation into the current leadership at the Sports Ministry, headed by Mr Mustapha Ussif, citing concerns over potential financial mismanagement and corruption.
In a recent interview with ChannelOne TV, held during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Manifesto launch in Winneba, Afriyie Ankrah expressed his dismay over the lack of accountability regarding recent financial scandals.
His remarks were particularly pointed following various controversies surrounding Ghana’s involvement in international sports events, such as the 2023 AFCON and the hosting of the 2023 African Games.
A significant point of contention is a reported $3.6 million payment made to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation for coverage of the African Games.
Afriyie Ankrah, who faced intense scrutiny after Ghana’s poor performance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, voiced his frustration that the current administration has yet to face similar scrutiny despite these financial issues.
“These people, they went to where AFCON, all the mess. Why is it that they have not been investigated? President (John) Mahama investigated me. [I was his campaign manager] Live everybody saw it. Of course they should be investigated.”
Member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African Games, Dan Kwaku Yeboah,has strongly defended the expenditure on the recent event hosted in Ghana, dismissing calls for financial scrutiny.
Yeboah contends that hosting such large-scale events has never been a profitable venture for any nation, and Ghana is no different.
He emphasized that the primary advantage of hosting the Games lies in the development of infrastructure, which will position Ghana favorably for future sporting bids.
Yeboah stressed that the long-term benefits, including improved facilities, outweigh the immediate financial concerns.
“The propaganda that people are doing is that, Ghana did not profit from the African Games. You don’t get any benefit from hosting African Games.
He noted that a major benefit of hosting the Games is infrastructure, which will help in developing other sporting disciplines in the long run.
“The NDC MPs that are calling for the probing, are the beneficiaries? The key benefit you get from hosting the African Games is the infrastructure to develop other sports.
So the argument we did not make any profit, there is no profit from hosting the African Games. When Mali decided to host it, they couldn’t get the funds and lost the hosting right to Morocco.”
He emphasised that due to the infrastructural benefit from the Games, Ghana have bid to host the African Athletics Championship.
“No one has hosted the African Games and declared profit since 1965. The benefit is that due to the infrastructure Ghana has bid to host the African Championship.
Ghana can now host the Rugby Championship, Ghana can host the swimming championship because we have an international standard swimming pool. That is our benefit.”
The ace broadcaster clarified that he is not defending people who might have embezzled funds.
“I’ve not said that they shouldn’t arrest anybody for embezzlement. But you might think differently because it’s an election year and people are doing agenda. I dare anybody to prove to me that when Nigeria hosted it in 1973 they made a profit.”
Dan Kwaku Yeboah’s assertion is in relation to a $3 million broadcast rights saga between the Sports Ministry and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation for the Games.
The Ministry claimed they paid the aforementioned amount to GBC to broadcast the games, while GBC, in response, denied receiving the said amount, insisting that they earned $105,000.
Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Kobina Woyome, has disclosed that a staggering $15 million was allocated for feeding athletes during the2023 Africa Games.
As the MP for South Tongu, Wayome noted that this substantial amount covered only 18 days of the event. The documents reviewed by the committee detailed this expenditure, raising significant questions.
Wayome emphasized that the committee has formally requested a detailed breakdown of how the $15 million was utilized solely for athlete meals over the 18-day period.
He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to clarify these spending discrepancies.
“You are spending $245 million and out of that, we got to know that a whopping amount of $15 million was used to feed athletes for 18 days. You realize that some of these things need to be investigated.”
“We wanted to know how many athletes actually made it. How many got registered? In fact, we need to get a report from the games management system because the system must be able to tell us.
How many actually came and participated in the Games. All these details we would want to know,” he said.
The 53 countries who competed in the 13th edition of the Africa Gamesprovided 2,644 athletes who participated in 335 events.
Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has revealed that his ministry has paid $3 million to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
According to the minister, this payment covers the full cost of broadcasting the 2024 All African Games, which took place in Accra four months ago.
The minister made this disclosure while responding to a question from Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel George, regarding the status of the payment to the state broadcaster during a session of the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, August 19, 2024.
“You had an arrangement with GBC to cover the All African Games. Can you share with this committee how much that coverage was for, and whether payment has been made for same?” Sam George asked.
Public Accounts Committee sitting: We paid GBC $ 3million for All African Games coverage – Mustapha Ussif #JoyNewspic.twitter.com/YP6mWjAi2R
In response, Mr Mustapha Ussif confirmed that “Yes, GBC was the official broadcaster for the 13th All African Games, and I can confirm that full payment has been made to GBC. I can’t remember the exact amount but I know that it is in the excess of $3 million”
For emphasis, Mr George asked “you paid GBC in excess of $3 million for coverage of the All African Games…?” to which the Minister responded, “Yes.”
Sam George explained that his question was based on the fact that “many of the technicians who worked on the All African Games have yet to be paid.
We sought to find out if any payments have been made and the amount disbursed.”
He added that the Public Accounts Committee will address this issue with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation during their next appearance before the committee, to understand why the technicians have not been compensated.
President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the 2023 All African Games, stating that those who advocated for the event’s postponement have been proven wrong.
In his congratulatory message to Ghanaians after the games, President Akufo-Addo thanked the nation for its steadfast support and confidence in the government’s ability to host the historic event.
He specifically applauded Ghanaians for disregarding calls from former President John Dramani Mahama, who, as the flagbearer of the NDC, had urged for the cancellation of the games a few months earlier.
“To the people of Ghana, I thank you for believing in the ability of the Government to host the games, the first in our history. I am also grateful that you did not listen to the naysayers who doubted our nation’s resolve, and urged us to cancel the games,” parts of his statement read.
Former President John Dramani Mahama had previously urged the government to reconsider hosting the 2023 All African Games, citing concerns about the country’s economic challenges at the time.
In contrast, President Akufo-Addo has extended his warm congratulations to Ghanaian athletes who participated in the 13th African Games held in Accra.
The Ghanaian contingent achieved a remarkable feat, securing a total of sixty-eight medals, including nineteen gold, twenty-nine silver, and twenty bronze medals. This achievement is considered a significant milestone for the nation.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 23, 2024, following the conclusion of the event, the President praised the team’s outstanding performance, emphasizing that their success not only brought honor to Ghana but also served as inspiration for aspiring athletes.
“To each and every member of the Ghanaian team, I commend you for your dedication, perseverance and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your excellent achievements have not only brought glory to our nation but have also inspired a new generation of sportspersons across our beloved country. You have showcased the best of Ghana to the world.”
His remarks follow revelations by Ghanaian badminton player Leslie Addo, who shed light on the difficult conditions faced by athletes during the ongoing games in the country.
Ablakwa raised questions about the substantial funds allocated to the event, citing that the Ministry of Youth and Sports received a significant amount of GH¢215,558,167.32 from the Ministry of Finance.
The MP questioned the allocation of these funds, highlighting that despite Ghana’s economic challenges, taxpayers contributed over GH¢412 million, raising concerns about the issues athletes are currently facing.
“It’s really heartbreaking listening to Ghanaian athletes at the 13th African Games lament about official neglect, buying their own kits, arriving to games in buckets of rickety pick-up trucks, etc. “From my impeccable oversight tracking, Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has received a massive GH¢215,558,167.32 from the Ministry of Finance for such expenditures.
“I am also keenly monitoring outstanding PVs from single-sourced contractors amounting to a staggering GH¢196,553,919.54, which are about to be paid this week. “Our athletes do not deserve this shabby and cruel treatment when, despite Ghana’s current economic crisis, taxpayers are coughing over GH¢412 million for the very things athletes are complaining about. Where is all the money going? Ghana’s hosting of the 13th African Games is the next big scandal,” he said in a Twitter post on March 10, 2024.
In a recent interview, Leslie Addo revealed that he and his teammates had to resort to sitting in the bed of a pickup truck to reach the match venue in Borteyman.
He explained that the team had no alternative but to use their coach’s private pick-up truck. With limited space inside the vehicle, some players had to sit in the bed of the truck, putting their safety at risk.
“Today, when we were coming to play our matches, we sat in our coach’s vehicle and it was a pick-up, so most of us were in the bucket. We didn’t get any transport. We, the host nation, are playing for the country and no one is supporting us,” he lamented.
In addition to the existing complaints, Addo highlighted that despite the Ministry of Youth and Sports renting a fleet of 332 vehicles, including luxury cars and buses, for the games, the badminton team still faced transportation challenges.
They had to rely on their coach’s pickup truck, which was inadequate for their needs.
Cape Coast Stadium experienced a power outage during a match between theGhanaian Black Princesses and the Ethiopian team on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
This disruption occurred during the ongoing All African Games, leaving the stadium without electricity for more than 20 minutes. Sports journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo reported that the power outage occurred approximately 36 minutes into the match.
“The lights have gone out inside the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, 36 minutes into Ghana vs. Ethiopia. The lights are not back yet after almost 20 minutes of waiting. Waiting continues! This is unacceptable,” he posted on X.
The lights have gone out inside the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, 36 minutes into Ghana vs Ethiopia.
Lights not back yet after almost 20mins of waiting. Waiting continues! This is unacceptable.
While power was later restored for the game to continue, the journalist reported that the stadium experienced yet another power cut right before halftime, prompting the referee to end the game.
“Lights went off again on the stroke of half time, so ref just ended it with some minutes still left of additional time.
“But lights are back on again as the players emerge for the start of the second half,” he updated his followers.
The Ghanaian government invested $195 million solely in infrastructure for the games scheduled from March 8, 2024, to March 23, 2024.
Additionally, an extra $48 million was allocated for operational expenses related to the games. Despite this substantial investment, critics have voiced concerns about the inadequate organisation of the event.
Despite these criticisms, the match between theBlack Princesses and Ethiopia concluded with a 1-0 victory for the Ghanaian team.
Lights went off again on the stroke of half time, so ref just ended it with some minutes still left of additional time.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has released documents alleging that the government is overspending its operational expenses budget by approximately 500% of the amount approved by Parliament for preparations for the 13th All African Games.
He accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the games of being complicit in the inflated expenditure.
In a social media post dated February 26, 2024, Mr Ablakwa stated that the three entities have agreed to spend a significant and unjustifiable US$48 million on “operational expenses” for the 13th African Games, scheduled to be hosted in Ghana from March 5 to March 23, 2024.
“It must be noted that this staggering US$48 million is an entirely different amount from the mega US$195 million (GHS2.4 billion) already spent on infrastructure for the games.
“At the prevailing exchange rate, US$48 million is equivalent to a colossal GHS602 million,” he added.
Mr Ablakwa also revealed details of a fundraiser organized by the presidency for the games, highlighting his concerns about the appropriateness of this action.
He has indicated that the Minister of Youth and Sports will be summoned to appear before parliament this week to provide explanations regarding the expenditure related to the games.
North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has recently brought to light concerning documents.
These documents suggest that the government has far exceeded its approved operational expenses threshold by nearly 500% in preparation for the upcoming 13th All African Games.
Ablakwa pointed fingers at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Sports, and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games, alleging their involvement in this excessive spending.
His allegations raise serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the government’s financial management regarding this major sporting event.
The three groups, he said in a February 26, 2024 post on social media, “have shockingly agreed to spend an elephantine, wrongful and unconscionable US$48 million on so-called “operational expenses” for the 13th African Games to be hosted in Ghana between the period — March 5 and 23, 2024. [Refer to intercepted documents attached.]
“2. It must be noted that this staggering US$48 million is an entirely different amount from the mega US$195 million (GHS2.4 billion) already spent on infrastructure for the games.
“3. At the prevailing exchange rate, US$48 million is equivalent to a colossal GHS602 million,” he added.
Ablakwa also disclosed how the presidency organised a fundraiser in respect of the games, emphasising how the said move was untoward.
He has since hinted that the sports minister will be hauled before parliament this week to explain the circumstances surrounding the said expenditure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDePsDxd79I
Read his full post below:
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO’S ELEPHANTINE, WRONGFUL, & UNCONSCIONABLE US$48MILLION (GHS602MILLION) “OPERATIONAL EXPENSES” FOR THE 13TH AFRICAN GAMES
1. Even before the dust settles on the scandalous US$8.5 million AFCON budget brouhaha; unimpeachable, unassailable and incontrovertible intercepted documents in my possession reveal for the first time that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his appointees at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have shockingly agreed to spend an elephantine, wrongful and unconscionable US$48 million on so-called “operational expenses” for the 13th African Games to be hosted in Ghana between March 5 and March 23, 2024. [Refer to intercepted documents attached.]
2. It must be noted that this staggering US$48 million is an entirely different amount from the mega US$195 million (GHS2.4 billion) already spent on infrastructure for the games.
3. At the prevailing exchange rate, US$48 million is equivalent to a colossal GHS602 million.
4. A careful reading of the intercepted February 13, 2024, letter signed by the LOC Executive Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, confirms that this ginormous US$48 million (GHS602 million) will be spent in less than a three week period (18 days). This translates into a 6-day weekly expenditure on “operational expenses” of a mind boggling GHS200.6 million and an even more incredible daily “operational expenses” of GHS33.4 million.
5. It is most instructive to note that apart from the blatant profligacy and reckless wastefulness by the leader of a bankrupt, debt-distress IMF bailout country; President Akufo-Addo’s conduct is absolutely wrong because Parliament approved GHS100 million under Goods and Services and then GHS50 million for Capital Expenditure for the 2024 expenditure by the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the 13th African Games. [See page 230 of 2024 Budget as attached.]. It is therefore totally lawless and utterly repugnant for President Akufo-Addo to unilaterally vary by more than six times what Parliament has approved for non-CapEX — that is from GHS100 million to GHS602 million.
6. The intercepted documents confirm thatdespite Parliament’s approval of only GHS100 million, President Akufo-Addo instructed the LOC to send out official request letters as recent as February 13, 2024, in which they defy Parliament and communicate their outlandish, unlawful and unjustifiable US$48 million (GHS602 million).
7. It is regrettable to note that instead of President Akufo-Addo and his appointees at the Sports Ministry and LOC acknowledging Ghana’s current economic crisis and slashing their ostentatious US$48 million (GHS602 million) “operational expenses” budget, he rather proceeded to personally chair fundraising meetings on the 6th and 7th of November, 2023, at the Jubilee House with an objective of raising the US$48 million (GHS602 million). [See evidence of the President’s meetings attached].
8. A number of top executives who have received the Akufo-Addo-inspired US$48 million (GHS602 million) shocking request letter are outraged about the quantum for a broke country and the deliberate refusal to transparently present a breakdown.
9. Careful analysis of the entities President Akufo-Addo met during his now infamous fundraising engagements shows that the President is mainly interested in public funds either by targeting SOEs such as GNPC, Ghana Gas, BOST and GOIL; or by targeting private companies such as MacDan, Zoomlion, MODEC and Kosmos all noted for executing huge government contracts.
10. Additionally, the President’s conduct raises fundamental ethical questions: how did the President select these companies? What promises did President Akufo-Addo make to these CEOs? How can other companies compete fairly with these “presidential companies” in any competitive bidding process, particularly considering the current single-source procurement epidemic? After these companies present their US$5million sponsorship cash to the President’s misplaced fundraising campaign, how can taxpayers be assured of value for money in the projects these entities would execute?
11. Should GNPC, Ghana Gas, BOST and GOIL which belong to the Ghanaian people be compelled by President Akufo-Addo to sponsor his unconscionable GHS602 million 13th African Games “Operational Expenses” when these corporations could be allowed to make more meaningful investments in expanding their operations so they could create sustainable jobs for the youth and thereby help address Ghana’s acute youth unemployment?
12. Why are these SOEs beginning to make payments due to President Akufo-Addo’s unlawful pressure when they haven’t sought Parliamentary approval? The BOST management should prepare to answer questions in Parliament for the initial US$500,000.00 (GHS6.2million) it transferred to Akufo-Addo’s LOC a few days ago.
13. The Minority Caucus in Parliament, led by the dynamic Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson will this week seek Speaker Bagbin’s blessings to summon the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif on their unlawful, ostentatious and unconscionable US$48million (GHS602million) “Operational Expenses” budget, which undermines the authority of Parliament. That will be a first step in a series of constitutional actions, not ruling out the possible impeachment of President Akufo-Addo, as we are determined to make sure the President doesn’t get away with another blatant “create, loot and share” scheme.
14. President Akufo-Addo’s unpatriotic and nation-wrecking act of approving and leading the collection of this gigantic US$48 million (GHS602 million) for so-called “Operational Expenses” for the 13th African Games deserves to be exposed and scuttled.
15. A government denying pensioners their life savings; a government unable to house VRA spillage victims who are still living in refugee-like tents after five months; a government unable to equip our hospitals including the renal unit of KATH, the imaging departments at Korle-Bu, Ridge, 37 and our regional hospitals; a government which claims it cannot subsidize dialysis treatment and prevent our compatriots from dying; a government unable to clear billions in arrears to contractors, independent power producers, school feeding caterers, public sector workers, teacher and nursing trainees, national service personnel, DACF, NHIS, GETFund; a government unable to employ thousands of young graduates who offered nursing and PharmD and have had to stay at home for years; a government which embarrassingly owed the Black Queens for many months until recent fierce mass agitations; and a government desperately seeking an IMF bailout must not be allowed to spend US$48million (GHS602million) for an 18-day event, particularly when Parliament has generously approved GHS100million. We shall surely defeat this lootocratic scheme!
