Sports Ministry, GBC At Loggerheads Over Africa Games Payment

The payment of over $3 million to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for the coverage of the 2023 African Games has been disclosed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif.

In his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee on August 19, 2024, it was revealed that the amount had been disbursed as per the arrangement with GBC, which served as the official broadcaster for the Games.

The query about the budget allocation for coverage was raised by Sam George, MP for Ningo Prampram, prompting the minister to confirm that the full payment to GBC had been completed.

According to Sam George, some of the technicians who worked during the African Games had claimed that they had still not been paid.

“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?” the NDC legislator asked.

Responding to the question, Mustapha Ussif said: “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.”

During the Games held from February to March, the government of Ghana invested $195 million in infrastructure.

Despite this substantial expenditure, Mustapha Ussif acknowledged in a recent statement that outstanding payments remained, including dues owed to 28 hotels that provided accommodations for the event.

While some hotels have received their payments, others are still awaiting remuneration, which the minister assured would be settled promptly.

The clarification on payments follows earlier concerns raised by technicians involved in the Games, who claimed they had not yet been compensated for their services. The minister’s assurance regarding the hotel payments aims to address ongoing financial commitments related to the successful hosting of the 13th All African Games.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan, has clarified that the media house received $105,000, and not $3 million as stated by Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“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,” he said.

But reacting to the comment, Prof. Alhassan refuted the claims made by the Minister in an interview on GTV.

“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, $105,000 and that is what we got.”

In the meantime, the Ministry is yet to react to the counter-response from GBC.