$3.6M was paid on these dates - Sports Ministry Combat GCB boss

 

In a recent press release dated August 20, 2024, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has responded to claims made by the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) regarding the amount received for the coverage of the 13th African Games. The clarification was necessitated by public comments made during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting, which took place on August 19, 2024.

Sports Minister 

During the PAC session, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, raised a concern regarding the payment made to GBC for their role in the production and broadcasting of the 13th African Games. The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, responded that GBC had received a payment in excess of $3 million. This response, however, was met with contradiction from the Director General of GBC, who claimed that the corporation had only received $105,000.

The Ministry's press release provided a detailed breakdown of the transactions to clarify the situation. According to the Ministry:

1. The decision to engage GBC for the coverage of the 13th African Games was made after several proposals from various stakeholders, some of which quoted costs exceeding $6 million. The Ministry selected GBC not only for their capability but also because their financial quotation was the most economical, amounting to $3.6 million.

2. The Ministry outlined that an agreement was made with GBC, which included payments structured in multiple tranches. Of the total $3.6 million, $2.5 million was paid directly to GBC in two parts: $1 million on March 13, 2024, and $1.5 million on May 22, 2024. Additionally, $1 million was paid to third parties under the instruction of GBC to assist in their contractual obligations.

3. The Ministry emphasized their commitment to transparency and accountability, reiterating that all payments were made in accordance with the agreed terms and that GBC's financial statements should reflect the receipt of the aforementioned amounts.

The Ministry's press release not only refutes the Director General's claim but also calls for accuracy and due diligence in public statements to avoid misleading the public and tarnishing the reputation of the institutions involved.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how GBC will respond to the Ministry's detailed clarification and whether any further investigations will be conducted to verify the disbursement and utilization of the funds.