A financial storm is brewing between the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and the Ministry of Youth and Sports over a mysterious $3 million paid-for media coverage of the All-African Games held in Accra just months ago.
The controversy erupted when Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif dropped a bombshell at a public hearing of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. Responding to a question from Ningo Prampram MP, Sam George, Ussif boldly declared, “We paid GBC 3 million United States dollars to cover the All-African Games.”
But the Director-General of GBC wasn’t having it. In a swift and sharp rebuttal, the broadcaster’s boss issued a press statement, claiming that the money never made it into GBC’s coffers. Instead, he revealed that the state broadcaster received a mere $105,000—a far cry from the $3 million the Minister mentioned.
Jamaldeen Abdulai, Executive Assistant to the Minister, reportedly stated that the Ministry’s contract was based on GBC’s cost estimates, leading to the agreed payment amount. He clarified that GBC was only entitled to $105,000, implying that the full $3.6 million did not go directly to the state broadcaster. “The third parties they brought on board, which they indicated should receive portions of the payment, were not chosen solely by us nor was it our decision alone,” he explained.
“Where is the money?” is the question on everyone’s lips, as the whopping $2.9 million discrepancy has left both the public and politicians scratching their heads. With neither side backing down, the mystery deepens.
At the heart of the matter is a contract between the Ministry and GBC, which allegedly stipulated that GBC was to be paid $305 million for their services—yet, somehow, only a fraction of this amount appears to have been received. According to sources, GBC relied on foreign entities for technical support during the Games, but details on how much was paid to which companies remain shrouded in secrecy.
The Hawk has been keeping a close eye on this brewing scandal, and we’re not inclined to believe that the Minister would simply toss around figures without a basis. But by the same token, GBC’s denial cannot be dismissed out of hand.
With the nation’s eyes fixed on this financial standoff, the pressure is mounting for both the Ministry and GBC to come clean and provide the public with the truth. Where did the money go, and who is telling the real story? We’ll be here, waiting for answers and keeping you informed as this drama unfolds.
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