The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has assured Parliament that the government will account for every pesewa spent on the 2023 All African Games, which was hosted by Accra a few months ago.
His assurance follows demands for accountability from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament after he presented a statement on the games on the floor of the House on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
The Minister lauded the athletes and the local organizing committee for flying the flag of Ghana high.
After presenting the statement, NDC MPs, including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu and Komla Mensah Wisdom Woyome, MP for South Tongu and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Select Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, demanded answers for the over US$240 million spent on the games.
Ussif responded, “Despite the success chalked in hosting the games, which has received wide commendation across borders, the government is committed to accounting for all the money released and spent on the continental showpiece.”
He outlined measures the government is pursuing to ensure the maintenance of the ultra-modern sports facilities built for the African Games.
The government invested heavily in boosting Ghana’s sports infrastructure by constructing multi-purpose sports facilities at the University of Ghana campus and the Borteyman Sports Complex.
The facilities include; the completion of the University of Ghana stadium, standard athletics and warm-up tracks, a rugby stadium, all at the University of Ghana, as well as a swimming pool, warm-up pool and multi-purpose domes at Borteyman.
Ussif revealed measures to maintain the facilities and prevent them from becoming white elephants. The University of Ghana Sports Stadium and auxiliary facilities at Legon will be transferred to the University of Ghana’s management. The National Sports Authority, an agency under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is currently managing the Borteyman Sports Complex temporarily. The Ministry is also considering private sector proposals for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to manage the facilities.
Furthermore, plans are underway to convert the Borteyman Sports Complex into a University for Sports Development, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these ultra-modern facilities. A cabinet memo has been prepared and is awaiting Cabinet approval. Once approved, the Minister will return to Parliament for approval to establish the new university for sports development.
By Stephen Odoi-Larbi
