African Games: Govt increases operational expenses by 6 times – Ablakwa alleges

The Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that the government is set to spend $48 million on “operational expenses” for the 13th African Games.

The African Games are scheduled for March 5 to March 23, 2024, in Ghana.

According to Mr Ablwakwa, the US$48 million is an entirely different amount from the $195 million already spent on infrastructure for the games.

In a Facebook post, the lawmaker said he intercepted a letter signed by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Executive Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare which confirms that said amount will spent in less than 18 days.

“This translates into a 6-day weekly expenditure on “operational expenses” of a mind-boggling GHS200.6million, and an even more incredible daily “operational expenses” of GHS33.4million,” he alleged.

Mr Ablakwa also insisted that the government has unilaterally increased the budget by more than six times what Parliament initially approved.

“President Akufo-Addo’s conduct is wrong because Parliament approved GHS100 million under Goods and Services and then GHS50 million for Capital Expenditure for the 2024 expenditure by the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the 13th African Games.

“It is therefore totally lawless and utterly repugnant for President Akufo-Addo to unilaterally vary by more than six times what Parliament has approved for non-CapEX,” part of his post said.

He added that this expenditure is reckless considering the current state of the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, he said the Minority Caucus will seek the Speaker’s blessings to summon the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif to answer to parliament.