Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, has made a significant revelation regarding the operational expenses for the 13th African Games.
He unveiled intercepted documents that suggestes President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his appointees at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have agreed to allocate an unprecedented US$48 million for “operational expenses” for the event, scheduled to take place between March 5 to March 23, 2024.
The Member of Parliament noted that the budget is in stark contrast to the previously allocated US$195 million for infrastructure development related to the games, stressing that “at the prevailing exchange rate, US$48million is equivalent to a colossal GHS602million”.
“A careful reading of the intercepted February 13, 2024 letter signed by the LOC Executive Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare confirms that this ginormous US$48million (GHS602million) will be spent in less than a three week period (18 days). This translates into a 6-day weekly expenditure on ‘operational expenses’ of a mind boggling GHS200.6million, and an even more incredible daily ‘operational expenses’ of GHS33.4million”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP
He pointed out that the Parliament had approved GHS100 million for Goods and Services and GHS50 million for Capital Expenditure for the 2024 expenditure by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that, President Akufo-Addo reportedly increased this budget to GHS602 million, a figure that is over six times the amount approved by Parliament. This unilateral increase, according to Ablakwa, is both lawless and repugnant, as it defies the approved budget and raises concerns about the accountability and transparency in the allocation of public funds.
The intercepted documents, as reported by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, reveal a significant discrepancy in the budgeting for the operational expenses of the 13th African Games. Despite Parliament’s approval of only GHS100 million for Goods and Services and GHS50 million for Capital Expenditure for the 2024 expenditure by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, President Akufo-Addo has reportedly instructed the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to request an additional GHS602 million (US$48 million) as recent as February 13, 2024.
Critics On the Decision to raise Million for African Games Amid Economic Crisis
The decision by President Akufo-Addo to chair fundraising meetings on November 6 and 7, 2023, at Jubilee House with the objective of raising US$48 million (GHS602 million) for the 13th African Games, despite Ghana’s current economic crisis, has been met with significant criticism. This move, as detailed in intercepted documents, has been described as “outlandish, unlawful, and unjustifiable” by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency.
Critics argue that this decision, which comes in the wake of a controversial US$8.5 million AFCON budget scandal, reflects a lack of sensitivity to Ghana’s financial situation. The allocation of such a large sum for operational expenses, especially when Parliament had approved only GHS100 million for Goods and Services and GHS50 million for Capital Expenditure, is seen as an egregious misuse of public funds. This has led to calls for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency in the allocation of funds for the Games.
The fundraising meetings, which targeted State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) such as GNPC, Ghana Gas, BOST, and GOIL, as well as private companies like MacDan, Zoomlion, MODEC, and Kosmos, have raised further ethical questions. Critics question how these companies were selected and the promises made to their CEOs, as well as the fairness of the competitive bidding process. The situation has also raised concerns about the value for money in projects executed by these entities and the potential for corruption in the procurement process.
“Why are these SOEs beginning to make payment due to President Akufo-Addo’s unlawful pressure when they haven’t sought Parliamentary approval? The BOST management should prepare to answer questions in Parliament for the initial US$500,000.00 (GHS6.2million) it transferred to Akufo-Addo’s LOC a few days ago”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP
The controversy surrounding the 13th African Games budget and the fundraising efforts for operational expenses has sparked a broader debate on the prioritization of public funds, especially in a country grappling with economic challenges. Critics argue that the focus on lavish spending for a sporting event undermines the government’s credibility and exacerbates public disillusionment.
Ablakwa’s statements reflect a call for accountability and a commitment to ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and transparently. His concerns are part of a broader critique of the administration’s handling of public funds, which includes other scandals and controversies. The situation underscores the importance of checks and balances in the management of public funds and the need for transparency and accountability in government operations.
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