The Ministry of Youth and Sports has released evidence confirming a $3.5 million payment to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for the media production of the 13th All African Games held in Ghana this year.
The statement aims to address public concerns and clarify the financial transactions involved in the event’s broadcast.
Controversy arose when Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, during a Public Accounts Committee appearance, stated that over $3 million had been paid to GBC for the games’ production.
This was countered by GBC’s Director General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, who claimed that GBC had received only $105,000, sparking public outcry over accountability.
According to the Ministry, a contract worth $3.6 million was signed with GBC to produce and broadcast the games.
However, GBC said it lacked of necessary equipment and enlisted third-party companies to fulfill the contract’s requirements.
The Ministry disclosed that it had paid GBC a total of $2.5 million in two installments: $1.5 million on March 13, 2024, and $1 million on May 22, 2024.
Additionally, $1 million was paid directly to third parties, bringing the total amount disbursed to $3.5 million.
The Ministry’s statement did not mention any payment of the balance of $100,000, leaving that aspect of the controversy unresolved.
Prof. Alhassan clarified that the $105,000 received by GBC was allocated to offset the corporation’s opportunity costs associated with dedicating an entire channel to the African Games.
This move required GBC to suspend regular programming on GTV Sports Plus.
He also explained that GBC supervised technical teams from third-party companies, including PGS, Quality Media Productions S.L., and The Production Room (TPR), who brought their own equipment to Ghana to manage the games’ technical production.
Addressing concerns about unpaid technicians, Prof. Alhassan refuted claims that some technicians had not been compensated, affirming that all GBC-engaged technicians were duly paid.
He noted that an accounts officer and an internal auditor were present at each location daily to ensure proper compensation. GBC employees received a daily allowance of GH₵100 while on location.
