The Ministry of Youth and Sports has clarified reports that they paid over $3 million to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to produce and broadcast the 13th African Games hosted in Accra.
In an appearance at the Public Accounts Committee, the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, revealed that his outfit paid GBC over $3 million to produce and broadcast the games.
But in a quick response, the Director General for GBC, Prof. Amin Alhassan, said GBC's share of the fee amounted to only $105,000, and that all other payments made to them were forwarded to third parties.
"We could never have used those monies for GBC’s needs. That would have been criminal.
"We facilitated payments to foreign third parties who came in to do the production and not for the benefit of GBC. GBC's benefit, I repeat, is $105,000 and that is what we got."
The DG's comments caused a public uproar, with questions raised over accountability.
In a detailed statement, the Sports Ministry clarified that they signed a contract worth $3.6 million with GBC to produce and broadcast the games.
But GBC, lacking the capacity to produce the games, recruited 3rd parties to help with the delivery of the contract.
The Ministry said after the contract was agreed, they paid $2.5 million to GBC in two tranches of $1.5 million and $1 million on 13th March and May 22, 2024.
The statement further states that on the direction of GBC, the Sports Ministry also paid $1 million directly to the 3rd parties, in accordance with the contract.
This brings the total amount paid to GBC and the 3rd parties to $3.5 million, leaving a $100,000 gap that has not been accounted for.
Read the Sports Ministry's full statement below:
Latest Stories
-
EPL: Jordan Ayew late goal salvages draw for Leicester against Ipswich
2 mins -
ESCO VOLTA holds meeting to strengthen cross-border cooperation in security, development
4 mins -
Kufuor Scholar champions Agricultural Innovation through Fidelity GreenTech Challenge
13 mins -
EPL: Isak scores at home again as Newcastle beat Arsenal
21 mins -
I’m proud that despite all the challenges, we have maintained Free SHS – Akufo Addo
4 hours -
Alan’s running mate, KOD says GRASP will revolutionize care for the Elderly in rural areas
4 hours -
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
4 hours -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
4 hours -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
4 hours -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
5 hours -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
5 hours -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
5 hours -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
5 hours