By Nadia Ntiamoah
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Auditor-General to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit into the financial and operational management of the 13th African Games hosted by Ghana in 2023.
The directive follows a report submitted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), which reportedly uncovered irregularities in the organization and expenditure of the continental sporting event.
The audit report is expected to be ready by mid-December 2025.
The decision marks a significant step by the Mahama administration to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds, particularly in large-scale national projects that involve international collaboration.
It also comes amid growing public concern over the cost, execution, and post-event management of the multi-million-dollar sporting event.
The 13th African Games, which were initially scheduled for August 2023 but later held in March 2024 due to funding challenges and infrastructure delays, brought together athletes from 52 African nations.
The games, held across Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast, featured 30 sporting disciplines, including eight Olympic qualifying events.
Ghana’s hosting of the event was seen as both a historic and costly venture, given the country’s infrastructural commitments and the challenges that plagued the preparatory phase
The government invested heavily in infrastructure to host the event, including the construction of the $145 million Borteyman Sports Complex and the completion of the $34 million University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
In addition, approximately $16 million was spent on refurbishing campus accommodation facilities to serve as the athletes’ village.
Despite these investments, concerns emerged over contract awards, delayed project delivery, and alleged cost inflation — issues that have now prompted presidential scrutiny.
The 13th African Games, also referred to as the All-Africa Games, were the first ever hosted by Ghana since the event’s inception in 1965.
However, preparations for the event were marred by controversies involving disagreements between the African Union (AU), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC) over the management and revenue-sharing arrangements.
These disputes, coupled with the infrastructural delays, led to the postponement of the games from 2023 to 2024.
While the games eventually concluded successfully on March 23, 2024, there were widespread reports of logistical lapses, unpaid contractors, and the alleged diversion of funds meant for project completion.
