NDC Demands Audit into African Games Budget, Expenditures

In a recent turn of events that has sparked widespread controversy and concern, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is vigorously calling for a thorough forensic audit into the financial undertakings surrounding the preparation and execution of the African Games.

This demand arises amidst a cascade of issues and setbacks that have marred the ongoing 13th African Games hosted in Accra, notably highlighted by South Africa’s withdrawal of its men’s and women’s hockey teams due to the subpar conditions of the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch, adhering to International Hockey Federation guidelines.

The complications did not end there; Ghana’s own participation has been tainted by logistical and preparatory inadequacies.

Instances such as Ghana’s Cycling Champion, Michael Naaba, withdrawing from the competition due to equipment failure, and the national swimming team’s withdrawal from the 4×100 relay final, have raised serious questions about the efficiency of the funds allocated and the overall management of the games.

In a statement released by the NDC’s National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, it was revealed that the government claims to have expended a staggering sum of USD$195 million on pre-games preparations, with an additional USD$48 million purportedly allocated to the Local Organising Committee for logistics such as transportation and feeding.

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These astronomical figures, juxtaposed with the glaring deficiencies observed, have led to calls for accountability and transparency.

The NDC’s demands are multifaceted and firm, including the resignation or dismissal of the Minister of Youth and Sports due to perceived gross incompetence, the dissolution of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the All African Games, and an immediate and comprehensive forensic audit into all financial activities related to the games’ preparation and organization.

Furthermore, the NDC has underscored the importance of a televised parliamentary probe into the budgeting and execution processes of the games, aiming to shed light on the discrepancies and ensure that such mishandling does not recur.

This situation has not only cast a shadow over the prestigious African Games but has also raised alarm bells over the governance and oversight of sports and events management in Ghana.

The NDC, leveraging this incident, has criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government for what it describes as a pattern of incompetence and corruption that has now extended to the international sporting arena, tarnishing Ghana’s reputation.

The insistence on a forensic audit into the African Games budget and expenditures underscores a broader call for probity, accountability, and transparency within Ghana’s political and organizational fabric.

As the NDC pledges to revisit this scandal under a future government, it joins the collective voice of Ghanaians demanding answers and corrective measures to prevent the recurrence of such regrettable incidents.

The nation now watches, awaiting the response of the current administration to these serious allegations and demands for clarity and accountability.

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