Accra Games : Ablakwa Raises Red Flag Over Unexplained GHS168m Withdrawal

Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has detailed how the government allegedly spent over 160 million Ghana cedis under the guise of 2023 African Games, five months after the event had ended. 

The government's expenditure on the games hosted in Accra in March of this year has come under heavy scrutiny, with the Minority in Parliament alleging that some monies were misused.

Controversy broke out earier this week after Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, told the Public Accounts Committee that the government paid the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) more than $3 million to broadcast the events.

However, the GBC Director General eventually denied receiving such funds.

Find the full statement from Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa published on social media below:

The 13th African Games ended in Accra as far back as March 23, 2024, however, intercepted financial documents reveal that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government continues to withdraw huge sums of money from our national coffers in the name of the games.

So far, a staggering GH₵168,386,331.00 has been withdrawn in the last few weeks, long after the games.

1) On May 17th, 2024 — GH₵70,000,000.00 was released to the Sports Ministry under a transaction description: Payment for 13th African Games;

2) On July 3rd, 2024 — GH₵30,000,000.00 was released to the Sports Ministry under a transaction description: Payment for 13th African Games;

3) On July 16th, 2024 — GH₵30,000,000.00 was released to the Sports Ministry under a transaction description: Payment for 13th African Games;

4) On July 16, 2024 — Additional same day release of GH₵38,386,331.00 to the Sports Ministry under the transaction description: Payment for 13th African Games.

These bizarre releases continue despite the Finance Ministry already releasing over GH₵460million before the closing ceremony — which is an amount far in excess of what Parliament approved.

The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government must immediately explain to Ghanaians what these humongous post tournament releases are being used for and exactly when the unending payments will stop.

This haemorrhage cannot continue when many sectors are being starved of resources as economic conditions of Ghanaians deteriorate uncontrollably.

Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif keeps running from parliamentary accountability but let him know that his days are numbered.

Source: Lead News Online