BY Daniel Bampoe
Former Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has rejected allegations linking him to procurement and financial irregularities captured in the explosive audit report into the hosting of the 13th African Games, insisting he should not be blamed for any wrongdoing identified in the document.
The former minister’s response follows the release of portions of the Auditor-General’s comprehensive report on the Accra 2023 African Games, which uncovered what auditors described as systemic procurement breaches, weak financial controls, unexplained expenditures and possible violations of the Public Procurement Act.
The audit findings have triggered intense national debate over accountability and governance surrounding the continental sporting event, which was hosted by Ghana in March 2024 at an estimated cost running into billions of cedis.
Rejects Allegations
In his first public response since details of the audit emerged, Mustapha Ussif stated that although the report reportedly cited him in several findings relating to procurement, contract management and financial administration, he does not accept responsibility for the alleged irregularities.
“The said report, I understand, attributes various irregularities to me. I, however, deny being responsible for any such irregularities, if any at all,” he stated.
The former minister further indicated that the matter would eventually be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny, where all persons cited would be given the opportunity to respond officially.
“It’s my understanding that the report will be presented to Parliament and persons who may have answers to findings will be invited to answer accordingly,” he said.
According to him, the parliamentary process would provide the proper platform to address all allegations and offer explanations concerning decisions taken during preparations for the Games.
Audit Exposes Massive Procurement Breaches
The Auditor-General’s report paints a troubling picture of how contracts, procurement processes and payments were handled during the organisation of the African Games.
At the centre of the report are former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, former Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports William Kartey, and former Local Organising Committee Chairman Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare.
The three officials are repeatedly cited in recommendations for sanctions under Section 92 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended.
The audit estimates that the total administrative irregularities amount to approximately GH¢1.15 billion alongside an additional US$5.2 million in revenue-related losses and cash management breaches.
Auditors concluded that the failures were not isolated incidents but reflected widespread systemic weaknesses spanning procurement approvals, contract structuring, cash management, payment systems and post-contract accountability.
Questionable Contracts And Missing Documentation
One of the major findings involved GH¢336.63 million paid under fixed lump-sum contracts covering accommodation, transport, catering and anti-doping services without proper usage verification systems such as rooming lists, meal registers or passenger manifests.
The report also questioned the engagement of JDK Travel & Tours for accommodation services despite the company allegedly lacking the required hotel licensing arrangements. Auditors said they were unable to independently verify the listed hotel partners connected to the contracts worth GH¢18.9 million.
Another major concern involved related-party transactions amounting to GH¢150.62 million involving JDK Travel & Tours, Delovely Co. Ltd and Jorninas Co. Ltd, which auditors linked to a single beneficial owner.
The contracts reportedly covered transport, logistics, accommodation, ticketing, medals and sports equipment.
Auditors also flagged GH¢55.77 million in unexplained contract costs due to missing itemised pricing and undefined scopes of work, making independent verification impossible.
Cash Withdrawals And Revenue Concerns
The report further highlighted GH¢20.37 million in cash withdrawals allegedly made outside Ghana’s GIFMIS financial management system without supporting documentation or adequate traceability.
In addition, auditors said cash received from participating countries was not fully lodged into banking records, leaving approximately US$247,194 unaccounted for under weak reconciliation systems.
Another GH¢27.23 million in merchandise revenue was also questioned due to the absence of inventory logs and proper revenue tracking systems.
The report additionally accused organisers of losing a potential US$5 million broadcasting revenue opportunity after the Games reportedly generated only US$45,000 in licensing fees despite the state spending US$3.6 million on production costs.
Pressure Mounts For Accountability
The revelations have intensified calls for accountability over Ghana’s organisation of the African Games, which government had earlier promoted as a historic opportunity to showcase the country’s ability to host major international sporting events.
Several lawmakers and civil society groups have already demanded sanctions, prosecutions and recovery of public funds where wrongdoing is established.
The Auditor-General has specifically recommended disciplinary action and possible recovery measures against officials cited in the report, including Mustapha Ussif, William Kartey and Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare.
Despite the growing controversy, Ussif maintains that he will fully cooperate with any parliamentary process and defend his role during the organisation of the Games.
The matter is expected to dominate discussions when Parliament begins examining the audit findings in the coming weeks as pressure mounts on authorities to determine whether criminal investigations, sanctions or recoveries will follow one of the biggest financial controversies in the recent sporting history.
