The Executive Assistant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jamaludeen A. Abdullah, has clarified the financial dispute between the Ministry and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) regarding payments related to the successful hosting of the 13th African Games.

According to Abdullah, the Ministry had engaged GTV, and the contract stipulated that a total amount of $3,600,000 would be paid to GBC for the scope of work they were to execute. Abdullah explained that the Ministry had already paid GBC over $3,000,000, as per the contractual agreement.

However, there were complaints from local staff that they had not been paid for their services. This issue was prompted by Hon. Sam George’s inquiry at the committee.

“In the release, we’ve given dates of when the payments were made and how it was made.”
Jamaludeen A. Abdullah the Executive Assistant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

Abdullah confirmed that a letter from GBC to the Public Accounts Committee indicated that GBC was entitled to only $105,000 of the total payments made for the games. This is where the discrepancy arose. GBC’s letter contradicted the Ministry’s claims, stating that they were only entitled to $105,000, while the Ministry maintained that it had paid them $2,500,000 in two tranches.

Abdullah explained that GBC had engaged third parties to assist in the execution of the contract due to the scope of work being beyond their capacity. However, the Ministry did not directly engage with these third parties, he clarified. Meanwhile, Abdullah emphasized that the Ministry had fulfilled its part of the bargain, paying GBC directly as per the contract.

He noted that GBC requested a portion of the payment to be made directly to a third party, which the Ministry executed accordingly in an official letter issued by GBC.

“We paid by what the contract stipulates.”
Jamaludeen A. Abdullah the Executive Assistant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

The issue seems to stem from the involvement of third parties, which GBC brought on board to assist them. Abdullah pointed out that GBC had not denied receiving payments from the Ministry, but their claim that they were entitled to only $105,000 complicates the situation.

“What we have been informed, or what even triggered Sam George’s question, is that local staff who were engaged during the games by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation indicated that GBC has not fulfilled that.”
Jamaludeen A. Abdullah the Executive Assistant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

GBC to Clarify about Payments to the General Public.

Abdullah further stated that it was GBC’s responsibility to clarify the situation and address the concerns raised by the local staff. He suggested that the Director-General of GBC should issue a public apology for creating the impression that the Ministry had misinformed the public.

“I believe that the Director-General, in his interview where he created the impression that the Minister misinformed the public, should apologize.”
Jamaludeen A. Abdullah the Executive Assistant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

Abdullah highlighted that the Ministry had fulfilled its obligations under the contract with GBC and that the issues with third parties were outside the Ministry’s direct control. He emphasized that the evidence was available to show that the payments had been made, and it was now up to GBC to clarify their position.

“With the evidence available and the evidence in the public domain, I believe we should be asking the Director-General questions.”
Jamaludeen A. Abdullah the Executive Assistant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

The situation remains unresolved, but Abdullah stated that the Director General should be asked questions to tell whether he has received the payment or not so that there is evidence to expose the person spreading wrong information in the public domain. Abdullah’s statements provide a clear indication that the Ministry has taken steps to address the concerns and is now waiting for GBC to respond.

Report on Financial Discrepancies Between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and GBC

Meanwhile, During the recent Public Accounts Committee hearing, a question raised by Hon. Sam George brought to light a financial discrepancy involving the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). The issue revolved around the same payment challenge made to GBC in connection with the 13th African Games, which the Ministry successfully hosted.