By Ashiadey Dotse
A forensic audit into Ghana’s organisation of the 13th African Games has recommended that three former top officials refund more than GH¢579 million to the state over alleged financial irregularities linked to the event.
The report, released by the Auditor-General following an audit commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama last year, identified widespread cases of cost inflation, unsupported payments and questionable expenditure across several contracts connected to the Games.
The officials named in the recovery recommendation are former Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif, former Chief Director William Kartey and former Local Organising Committee Chairman Kwaku Ofosu-Asare.
Although the Auditor-General did not make any criminal findings, the report recommended that the three officials repay funds identified as unjustified expenditure and irregular payments.
The audit also mentioned Amin Alhassan in connection with a broadcast training contract.
According to the findings, auditors recommended the recovery of an estimated GH¢579.1 million, together with US$44.35 million and €629,070. The amounts were linked to overpricing, undelivered goods, unsupported claims and changes to contracts.
Several sectors of expenditure were flagged, including catering, accommodation, transport, equipment procurement, infrastructure and administrative costs.
Among the findings, auditors questioned more than US$2.8 million in catering-related costs that reportedly included transport, utilities and administration expenses without adequate supporting documents.
Accommodation arrangements also came under scrutiny, with auditors reporting that hotel rooms were billed at rates significantly above prevailing market prices, creating an estimated inflated cost of US$840,000.
Sports equipment procurement was another major concern, with contracts for disciplines including boxing, hockey and triathlon said to have exceeded benchmark prices.
Transport and logistics contracts also recorded multiple irregularities, with more than GH¢30 million flagged through vehicle hiring, branding and rental-related payments.
The largest financial concerns emerged from engineering and construction contracts tied to key venues, including the Borteyman Sports Complex and facilities at the University of Ghana. Auditors cited inflated claims, unjustified contract variations and changes outside approved project scope, with irregular claims estimated at nearly GH¢468 million.
Additional concerns included payments for equipment that auditors said were either not delivered or lacked proper specifications, as well as spending unrelated to the Games.
The report’s recommendations place the spending associated with Ghana’s hosting of the continental sporting event under renewed public and parliamentary scrutiny.
