The Minority in Parliament is demanding from the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, an account for the amount of money expended at the just ended African Games.
Presenting a statement in Parliament Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the Minister indicated that the games that won Ghana some medals was successful and the country is in a good position to host any major tournament.
He added that although there was negative publicity about the event, the proper organisation put up by the committee ensured the continent was properly served with the 13th edition of the Games.
But the Minority insisted the Ministry details on the amount spent should be provided since the Minister’s presentation was silent on the cost.
For Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, the Minister should tell the House how much was spent in total since it decided to spend beyond what was contained in the budget which was approved by the House.
“I have gone through the entire 15 page statement that the Hon. Minister has presented. There is no mention of how much this country has spent on the games. What is Hon. Minister concealing from this House? What is he hiding? Why can’t we be told? Already, we have raised concerns about the huge expenditure beyond what this House approved,” he demanded.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, for his side, demanded explanation on how a colossal US$15 million was expended on feeding for 18 days.
“Mr. Speaker we know for sure that US$15m was allocated to a company called M&L Company Ltd. for 18 days of feeding. Mr. Speaker that amounts to GHC226m for 18 days, you cannot come here, deliver a statement without accounting for that US$15m for 18 days,” he stated.
But the Majority said the Minority was making a mountain out of a mole. According to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, it was not right for the committee to account for the amount expensed since the constitution has given a timeline for such.
“Mr. Speaker, this is public accounts. It’s not for nothing that Article 187 of the Constitution provides that accounting for the usage of public funds should require some period and indeed, it is six months after the expiry of the financial year,” he clarified.
To Leader of the Majority, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, members on the Committee “have finished their work, instead of commending the Minister for a good job done, you rather want to use the opportunity to critique and say things that are not factual.”
NDC calls for immediate parliamentary probe into African Games expenditure
With additional files from Courage Komla Klutse
