[Full Text] Sports Minister clarifies $3m GBC African Games coverage payment

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has made a comeback to explain the $3 million he mentioned at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament as the payment made to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for the coverage services rendered during the 13th African Games.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 20.

Find the statement below:

CLARIFICATION ON THE AMOUNT PAID TO THE GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION FOR THE COVERAGE OF THE 13TH AFRICAN GAMES

We refer to the Public Accounts Committee sitting on Monday 19h August, 2024, where the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif led the National Sports Authority and the National Youth Authority, two agencies under the Ministry to respond to issues raised by the Auditor General.

At the sitting, the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Constituency, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, asked a public interest question regarding the payment to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation( GBC) for their production and broadcasting services rendered at the 13tH African Games to which, the Hon.

Minister responded that GBC was paid in excess of $ 3 Million.

The Ministry’s attention has been drawn to comments made by the Director General of GBC stating that they did not receive the said amount.

We wish to make the following statements to clarify the issues:

a. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the Local Organising Committee, received proposals from various stakeholders for the production and broadcasting rights for the 131h African Games.

b. Some organisations submitted proposals in excess of $ 6 million, which the Ministry deemed excessive.

d. The other reason for the Ministry’s decision was that GBC’s financial quotation for production and transmission was the lowest.

e. With the understanding that GBC will use the services of third parties to assist them implement their obligations, the total agreed amount was $3.6 million

f. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between the two institutions: the Ministry and GBC.

g. From the total amount, $ 2.5 million was paid directly to GBC in two tranches: $ 1 million and 1.5 million on 131h March, 2024 and 22nd May, 2024 respectively.

h. Another amount of $1 million was paid to third parties upon the instructions of GBC, in accordance with the contract.

i. As a public institution we are committed to transparency and accountability in the discharge of our mandate.

SIGNED

HON. MUSTAPHA USSIF (MP) MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS

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