Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has revealed that his ministry has paid $3 million to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
According to the minister, this payment covers the full cost of broadcasting the 2024 All African Games, which took place in Accra four months ago.
The minister made this disclosure while responding to a question from Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel George, regarding the status of the payment to the state broadcaster during a session of the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, August 19, 2024.
“You had an arrangement with GBC to cover the All African Games. Can you share with this committee how much that coverage was for, and whether payment has been made for same?” Sam George asked.
In response, Mr Mustapha Ussif confirmed that “Yes, GBC was the official broadcaster for the 13th All African Games, and I can confirm that full payment has been made to GBC. I can’t remember the exact amount but I know that it is in the excess of $3 million”
For emphasis, Mr George asked “you paid GBC in excess of $3 million for coverage of the All African Games…?” to which the Minister responded, “Yes.”
Sam George explained that his question was based on the fact that “many of the technicians who worked on the All African Games have yet to be paid.
We sought to find out if any payments have been made and the amount disbursed.”
He added that the Public Accounts Committee will address this issue with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation during their next appearance before the committee, to understand why the technicians have not been compensated.