Chairman of the 2023 African Games Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare has responded to earlier claims of mismanagement of funds by the Minority in Ghana’s Parliament.
Parliamentary Select Committee for Sports Chairman, Hon. Kwabena Woyome, at the floor of the house, raised concerns over the the African Games budget, citing the Games Management System and the amount used for the feeding of athletes at the African Games.
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According to the Member of Parliament, Ghana used $4.5million for the Games Management and $15 million feeding purposes in 18 days at the Games.
Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, at a press conference, Tuesday morning, has denied the claims, further stating the figures used for some areas of the African Games.
Feeding
“The amount is $15 million, and it provided four meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—per day for 23 days, not the 15, 18, or 10 figures being mentioned.
“This amount was allocated for a wide range of participants, including athletes, team officials, technical personnel, media members (both local and foreign), security staff, volunteers, medical officers, transport teams, VIPs, and dignitaries.”
Kwesi Mantey, Chairman of the Catering Sub-committee for the event, added that 7.5 percent was deducted from the $15 million as withholding tax.
Furthermore, M & L Company Limited was contracted to provide the food throughout the Games.
Games Management System
“We used $2.9million for the Games Management System, not $4.5 million Hon. Kobby Woyome claimed.
“We paid the company [ATOS] $2,995,000, which amounted to GH¢35,940,000 and not $4.5 million; you can quote me anywhere.
The LOC Chairman further explained that the accreditation tags are merely a “subset” of the broader Games Management System, which includes various components such as TV graphics, the Commentators Information System, Sports Entry and Qualification, Games Results, and Final Results.
“It is important to note that during the organization of the Games, Hon. Woyome met the LOC on three separate occasions at the instance of the Parliament Select Committee and never sought to procure information from the LOC itself to satisfy the queries pertaining to the issuance of contracts.”
Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif is expected to appear before Parliament to present a comprehensive breakdown of the Games’ overall expenditures.
The 2023 African Games, which marked Ghana’s first hosting rights, took place from March 8 to 23, 2024, with the nation proudly winning a total of 69 medals during the competition.
