Sports Ministry clarifies $3.6m paid to GBC to cover Accra Games

Ghana's Ministry of Youth and Sports has shed light on the payment made to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for serving as the official broadcaster of the 13th African Games in Accra earlier this year.

This follows comments made by Mustapha Ussif, Minister for Youth and Sports, during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Monday, August 19, 2024.

During the PAC meeting, the Sports Minister claimed that the Ministry had paid GBC more than $3 million for the Games' production and transmission services.

However, GBC's Director-General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, has publicly denied the Minister's claim, stating that GBC only received $105,000 to support the broadcaster's decision to dedicate an entire channel to the African Games, suspending normal programming on GTV Sports Plus.

In response to this discrepancy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports released a detailed analysis of the financial arrangements with GBC on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

According to the Ministry, numerous parties submitted proposals for the 13th African Games' production and broadcasting rights.

The Ministry stated that several of these plans exceeded $6 million, which it thought excessive.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the Local Organising Committee, received proposals from various stakeholders for the production and broadcasting rights for the 13th African Games,” the press release stated.

“Some organisations submitted proposals in excess of $6 million, which the Ministry deemed excessive.”

The Ministry indicated that the total agreed amount for GBC's services was $3.6 million. Out of this, $2.5 million was given directly to GBC in two installments: $1 million on March 13, 2024 and $1.5 million on May 22, 2024. 

The remaining $1 million was paid directly to third-party service providers per GBC's instructions and the contractual arrangement.

The Ministry emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that all financial transactions were carried out with the highest level of honesty.

Find the full statement below;

CLARIFICATION ON THE AMOUNT PAID TO THE GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION FOR THE COVERAGE OF THE 13TH AFRICAN GAMES

We refer to the Public Accounts Committee sitting on Monday 19h August, 2024, where the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif led the National Sports Authority and the National Youth Authority, two agencies under the Ministry to respond to issues raised by the Auditor General.

At the sitting, the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Constituency, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, asked a public interest question regarding the payment to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation( GBC) for their production and broadcasting services rendered at the 13tH African Games to which, the Hon.

Minister responded that GBC was paid in excess of $ 3 Million.

The Ministry’s attention has been drawn to comments made by the Director General of GBC stating that they did not receive the said amount.

We wish to make the following statements to clarify the issues:

a. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the Local Organising Committee, received proposals from various stakeholders for the production and broadcasting rights for the 131h African Games.

b. Some organisations submitted proposals in excess of $ 6 million, which the Ministry deemed excessive.

c. Also, the Ministry, in its quest to build local capacity and leave a legacy after the 13h African Games, engaged the GBC to become the official broadcaster for the Games.

d. The other reason for the Ministry’s decision was that GBC’s financial quotation for production and transmission was the lowest.

e. With the understanding that GBC will use the services of third parties to assist them implement their obligations, the total agreed amount was $3.6 million

f. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between the two institutions: the Ministry and GBC.

g. From the total amount, $ 2.5 million was paid directly to GBC in two tranches: $ 1 million and 1.5 million on 131h March, 2024 and 22nd May, 2024 respectively.

h. Another amount of $1 million was paid to third parties upon the instructions of GBC, in accordance with the contract.

i. As a public institution we are committed to transparency and accountability in the discharge of our mandate.

SIGNED

HON. MUSTAPHA USSIF (MP) MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS

Source : Lead News Online