The Ministry of Youth and Sports has detailed the US$3.6 million payment made to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) as the official broadcaster of the 13th African Games, which began in March 2024.
This follows claims made by the Director-General of GBC, Prof. Amin Alhassan, who stated that his organization received only $105,000.
Earlier, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, disclosed during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session on Monday, August 19, 2024, that the Ministry had paid GBC over $3 million for the production and broadcasting of the Games.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Ministry provided a detailed breakdown of the financial arrangements made with GBC.
According to them, “the Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the Local Organising Committee, received proposals from various stakeholders for the production and broadcasting rights for the 13th African Games. Some organizations submitted proposals in excess of $6 million, which the Ministry deemed excessive.”
They added that “the Ministry, in its quest to build local capacity and leave a legacy after the 13th African Games, engaged the GBC to become the official broadcaster for the Games. Other reason for the Ministry’s decision was that GBC’s financial quotation for production and transmission was the lowest”.
The Sports Ministry further revealed that “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. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between the two institutions: the Ministry and GBC”.
“From the total amount, $2.5 million was paid directly to GBC in two tranches: $1 million and 1.5 million on 13th March, 2024 and 22nd May, 2024 respectively. Another amount of $1 million was paid to third parties upon the instructions of GBC, in accordance with the contract. As a public institution we are committed to transparency and accountability in the discharge of our mandate,” the statement read.