Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif has assured Ghanaians that he will ensure that every amount spent on the 2023 African Games which was hosted here in Ghana, will be accounted for.
The competition, which took place in the country from March 8 to 23 this year, saw 54 countries participate in the Pan-African sporting event.
The 13th edition saw Ghana spend a total of $195 million in infrastructure development.
The Borteyman Sports Complex, which is a new edifice constructed purposely for the event cost the country $145 million whiles the University of Ghana Sports Stadium which also saw a massive renovation cost $34 million as well as $16 million in refurbishment of the Games Village.
Making an appearance in Parliament on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 to brief the house on the event, he was questioned on how much was spent on the games.
Member of Parliament of North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised the matter on the floor on parliament, describing the minister’s statement as ‘incomplete”.
“I have gone through the entire 15-page statement that the honorable minister has presented. There is no mention of how much this country has spent on the games. This is the first time I’m seeing a report from a minister after games to this house, after any tournament or whatsoever. What is the honorable minister concealing,” he asked.
“What is he concealing from this house? Why can’t we be told. Already, we have raised concerns about the huge expenditure way beyond what this house approved. We know that about $195 million was spent on infrastructure. Then we intercepted documents that reveal that they had budgeted to $48 million on so called operational expenses. That $48 million, have they spent all, have they exceeded that,” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Mustapha Ussif in response explained that his ministry is not hiding anything, stating that every money spent on the games will be accounted for.
“We are not hiding anything. I want clarity to be made. Every cedi is going to be accounted for. Be rest assured, he stressed.
“Rather you should congratulate team Ghana because so far we have not seen the Minority issue any statement in congratulating the sportsmen and women who fought very hard in lifting the flag of the country very high.”
