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Tag: 13th African Games

  • Not a single standard stadium and they want to be commended – Mahama jabs over stadium ban

    Not a single standard stadium and they want to be commended – Mahama jabs over stadium ban

    NDC’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has criticised the government’s failure to maintain the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, leading to its ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    He described the situation as a national disgrace, pointing out that it is unprecedented for the Black Stars to play their home games at neutral venues due to poor pitch conditions.

    Mahama used this incident to argue that the current administration has failed in its responsibilities and should not be re-elected in the 2024 elections.

    “Recently, FIFA said the national team cannot play matches in Ghana. This is a huge embarrassment for us. It is the first time in Ghana’s history that we have been told there is no suitable stadium to host Black Stars games.

    Despite this, they expect us to applaud them for their performance,” he said in Twi, as reported by GhOne TV on X.

    It is important to note that Mahama mistakenly mentioned FIFA, but it was actually CAF that made the decision.

    About the Baba Yara Stadium ban

    CAF withdrew approval for the Baba Yara Stadium due to issues such as an uneven playing field, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover.

    This decision followed the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola on September 5, 2024.

    In response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has directed the Ghana Football Association to invite CAF officials to inspect the Accra Sports Stadium and the Legon Stadium to determine if they meet the requirements to host Black Stars games.

    Watch the video below:

  • Africa Games: Sports ministry gives a breakdown of the alleged $3m coverage fee paid to GBC

    Africa Games: Sports ministry gives a breakdown of the alleged $3m coverage fee paid to GBC

    Ministry of Youth and Sports has provided a detailed explanation regarding the payment made to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for its role as the official broadcaster of the 13th African Games held in Accra earlier this year.

    This clarification follows controversy sparked by remarks made by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session on Monday, August 19, 2024.

    During the PAC session, the sports minister claimed that the Ministry had disbursed over $3 million to GBC for its production and broadcasting services for the Games.

    This statement was made in response to concerns raised by MP Samuel Nartey George of Ningo Prampram about unpaid debts to technical staff involved in the event.

    In contrast, GBC’s Director-General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, publicly disputed the Minister’s claim, stating that GBC had only received $105,000, which was allocated to support the broadcaster’s decision to dedicate a channel to the African Games, thus suspending regular programming on GTV Sports Plus.

    In response to this discrepancy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports issued a press release on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, outlining the financial arrangements with GBC in detail.

    The Ministry explained that multiple proposals for the production and broadcasting rights of the 13th African Games were reviewed, with some exceeding $6 million, which was considered excessive.

    To build local capacity and ensure a lasting legacy, the Ministry chose GBC as the official broadcaster. This decision was partly due to GBC’s lower financial quotation compared to other proposals.

    “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,” the press release stated.

    “Some organisations submitted proposals in excess of $6 million, which the Ministry deemed excessive.”

    The Ministry clarified that the total agreed payment for GBC’s services amounted to $3.6 million. Of this total, $2.5 million was paid directly to GBC in two installments: $1 million on March 13, 2024, and $1.5 million on May 22, 2024.

    The remaining $1 million was paid directly to third-party service providers based on GBC’s instructions, as outlined in the contractual agreement.

    “From the total amount, $2.5 million was paid directly to GBC in two tranches: $1 million on March 13, 2024, and $1.5 million on May 22, 2024. Another amount of $1 million was paid to third parties upon the instructions of GBC, in accordance with the contract,” the release explained.

    The Ministry emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that all financial transactions were conducted with the highest level of integrity.

  • 13th African Games: Over 40 hotels threaten legal action against govt over failure to settle debts

    13th African Games: Over 40 hotels threaten legal action against govt over failure to settle debts

    More than 40 hoteliers have threatened legal action against the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) over unpaid dues for hosting visitors during the 13th African Games.

    The hoteliers allege that, despite receiving an initial 20 percent payment from the Ministry, all attempts to collect the remaining balance have been unsuccessful.

    This year, the 13th African Games saw participation from over 13,000 individuals, including 5,000 athletes, 3,000 technical officials, 3,000 volunteers, and 2,000 guests from 54 African nations, many of whom were accommodated in hotels across Accra.

    As reported by 3news.com, the LOC, in conjunction with the Ministry, had negotiated the accommodation rates before the event, agreeing that 20 percent would be paid upfront and the remaining 80 percent immediately after the games.

    However, despite the games concluding on March 23, the Ministry has yet to settle the outstanding debt.

    “We fed them for 21 days and 21 nights during the three weeks they stayed. Some of us have 30 rooms, others have 40 rooms, and they booked all.

    They promised us that they would pay the balance before the visitors left, but they did not. On the last day, we even wanted to lock them in, but we thought about the bad image it would give Ghana,” a hotelier is quoted by 3 News to have said.

    Another hotelier also expressed disappointment at the turn of events.

    “We have been to the ministries and the LOC several times, and the accountant keeps giving us excuses that they are doing auditing.

    For how long are they going to do the auditing when we have clients to settle? We credited the food items to feed them, the toiletries, etc. We credited a lot of items, so the suppliers are also after their money.”

    “We are prepared to sue both the Ministry and the LOC to unlock our money,” the hotelier added.

    Meanwhile, the ministry according to the report has indicated that it will soon issue a statement to clarify issues surrounding the payment.

  • Hoteliers to sue LOC, Sports Ministry over unpaid bills from 13th All-African Games

    Hoteliers to sue LOC, Sports Ministry over unpaid bills from 13th All-African Games

    Over 40 hoteliers are threatening legal action against the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for failing to settle their payments after hosting guests for the 13th All-African Games in Accra.

    The hoteliers claim that, despite receiving only 20% of the agreed payment from the Ministry, their repeated attempts to collect the remaining amount have been unsuccessful.

    The 13th All-African Games, which concluded on March 23, saw over 13,000 participants, including 5,000 athletes, 3,000 technical officials, 3,000 volunteers, and 2,000 guests from 54 African nations, with many staying in Accra’s hotels.

    The LOC, in collaboration with the Ministry, negotiated the accommodation rates prior to the event.

    However, hoteliers received only a partial payment upfront, with the remainder promised for settlement immediately after the games.

    Despite the event’s conclusion months ago, the outstanding balance remains unpaid. One hotelier, whose 40-room facility was fully booked for the entire three weeks, expressed frustration, stating, “we are disappointed at the turn of events. We have been to the ministries and the LOC several times and the accountant keeps giving us excuses that they are doing auditing. For how long are they going to do the auditing when we have clients to settle? We credited the food items to feed them, the toiletries etc. We credit a lot of them items, so the suppliers are also after their monies”.

    “We are prepared to sue both the Ministry and the LOC, so we can unlock our monies”.

    Another hotelier expressed disappointment, highlighting ongoing difficulties with the Ministry and LOC. “We’ve visited the ministries and the LOC multiple times, but the accountant keeps citing auditing delays. We’ve incurred costs for food, toiletries, and other essentials, and our suppliers are now demanding payment.”

    The hoteliers are prepared to sue both the Ministry and the LOC to recover their funds. The LOC confirmed their role in negotiating rates but referred inquiries to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

    An official from the Ministry indicated that a statement will be issued in due course to address the situation.

  • Enhancing collaboration and sharing expertise a priority under my leadership – EOCO boss

    Enhancing collaboration and sharing expertise a priority under my leadership – EOCO boss

    The Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, Chairperson of the Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies Association in Commonwealth Africa, pledges to deepen collaboration and knowledge exchange among member agencies to tackle corruption effectively.

    During her tenure, she aims to prioritize training and capacity-building for officers across Commonwealth Africa’s anti-corruption agencies, enhancing the collective ability to combat corruption.

    COP Addo-Danquah, also the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), outlined her plans after assuming leadership of the association at the conclusion of the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa.

    She intends to promote innovative solutions and share best practices, fostering progress by learning from each other’s experiences. COP Addo-Danquah’s term will last for a year until the next conference and AGM in South Africa.

    The recent conference in Accra gathered heads of anti-corruption agencies, diplomats, international organizations, and civil society representatives to bolster collaboration and strengthen anti-corruption efforts.

    COP Addo-Danquah expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and highlighted the need for collective commitment to combat corruption, which she views as a major obstacle to development and progress.

    She pledged to serve with integrity and impartiality, emphasizing the importance of confronting corruption decisively to uphold the rule of law and restore public trust in institutions.

    During the handover from the outgoing Chairperson, May De Silva, who heads the Seychelles Anti-Corruption Commission, called for continued cooperation among members in the fight against corruption.

  • Minority to raise $240m 13th African Games expenditure in Parliament

    Minority to raise $240m 13th African Games expenditure in Parliament

    The Minority in Parliament has announced its intention to request a value-for-money report on the $240 million allocated for the 13th African Games held in Accra when the house reconvenes.

    The Caucus recently voiced concerns over the event’s poor organization, lack of clear policies for tourism promotion and trade facilitation, and the absence of economic viability strategies, despite the significant amount spent.

    In an interview with Citi News, the Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Kobena Mensah Woyome, stated that the value-for-money report would reveal the precise costs associated with the continental event.

    “As I speak to you today, we haven’t received it [the value for money report]. So why haven’t we received it [the Value for Money report]? And not that we have not been asking. We have been requesting [for it] at meetings but we are yet to receive it.

    “The experts in the industry and the engineers in the industry are calling and saying that looking at how much money we used for this ABCD, per their professional calculation, they think they are not just the best.

    “So we have to do something more scientific. So we are working on looking at the infrastructure, how much money we used and so if they have the value for money report, then they should make it available for us.”

  • Volunteers for 13th African Games to receive GHS1,200 cash

    Volunteers for 13th African Games to receive GHS1,200 cash

    The Local Organizing Committee of the 13th African Games has confirmed that volunteers will be compensated with cash amounts totaling GH₵1,200.00 and GH₵1,000.00 for their invaluable services.

    As per the statement, the overall payment consists of GH₵1,000 allocated as volunteering incentives and GH₵200 designated for transportation expenses.

    Before this official announcement, certain volunteers had already received GH₵200 as their transportation stipend to facilitate their return home post-tournament.

    To claim their entitled benefits, volunteers must furnish the requisite evidence, as specified in the statement endorsed by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare.

    This compensation initiative was devised in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, intended as a token of gratitude for the volunteers’ unwavering commitment and substantial contributions to the Games’ success.

    The decision to implement this payment scheme stemmed from a disagreement between volunteers and officials subsequent to the tournament’s conclusion.

    Reports emerged alleging that officials had withheld the volunteers’ allowances of GH₵2,000 each, along with the promised transportation allowance of GH₵500 per person.

    The dispute escalated to the extent that volunteers were purportedly evicted from their lodgings on the day they anticipated receiving their dues.

    Following the altercation, certain volunteers were provided with GH₵200 as their transportation allowance.

  • NPP thugs allegedly shot at African Games 2023 volunteers demanding unpaid allowances

    NPP thugs allegedly shot at African Games 2023 volunteers demanding unpaid allowances

    Volunteers of the All African Games 2023 were met with violence as they demanded their unpaid allowances and packages. Allegedly, members affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) resorted to firing shots to disperse the protesting workers.

    The incident unfolded at the Pentagon Hostel within the University of Ghana, where over 3,000 volunteers had been assisting with the games. Anticipation turned to frustration as the volunteers woke up to find themselves informed to vacate the premises without receiving their promised compensation.

    Eyewitnesses recounted a harrowing scene as tensions escalated between the aggrieved workers and the armed individuals purportedly associated with the NPP.

    Shots were fired in an attempt to quell the protest, causing panic and chaos among the volunteers.

    Reports suggest that the demand for unpaid allowances and packages had been brewing for some time, with volunteers expressing discontent over the lack of compensation for their contributions to the All African Games.

    Expressing their grievances, one volunteer stated, “We the Volunteers for the 13th African Games have been denied our due including TNT and are being forced to leave the Hostels immediately.”

    He explained, “The agreement was that we would be paid GHC2,500, GHC500 for TNT and GHC2,000 as allowance or appreciation package. They came to address us yesterday Monday, March 25, and even promised that we were going to be given the money before noon today Tuesday, March 26. Only to send a statement asking us to leave the various Hostels.”

  • 13th African Games volunteers being asked to buy their own prepaid – Reports

    13th African Games volunteers being asked to buy their own prepaid – Reports

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has provided information that indicates that volunteers for the 13th African Games have been directed to purchase their own electricity for the interim as authorities work to refund monies used.

    This comes after over 100 volunteers have been forced to sleep in darkness for over four days in their residences due to finished prepaids.

    In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa shared a WhatsApp conversation between one John (believed to be the medium between the authorities and the volunteers) and volunteers.

    As remedy, the volunteers have been directed to purchase their own electricity for the interim

    “Please how far with those with finish prepaid credits, some volunteers have been without lights for the past 4 days,” a concerned volunteer wrote.

    John replied: “Team, unfortunately, we’re still awaiting funds for electricity. If possible, please purchase small amounts for your rooms. We’re working on securing the funds, but will alert you when we get some funds. Your patience is appreciated.

    According to Mr Ablakwa, it is unacceptable to claim everything is working out smoothly with regards to the tournament, as done by the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, when volunteers are struggling.

    “As Ghana’s Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif goes about bragging that he’s organized the best African Games, hundreds of his volunteers are without prepaid credits and have been sleeping in darkness at the games for more than 4 days,” he said.

    He expressed concern that “a US$243million tournament is unable to pay for prepaid credits, and yet the Minister is demanding praise.”

    “I reiterate that Ghana’s hosting of the 13th African Games is the next big scandal. We shall delve into the multiple scandals soon,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has expressed disapproval of the media’s focus on the negative aspects of Ghana’s hosting of the 2023 African Games. Instead, he encourages highlighting the positive elements of the event.

    During a press conference at the University of Ghana Stadium, Mr Ussif argued that Ghana has garnered international acclaim for organizing “spectacular games.”

  • We will give breakdown of $48m when 13th African Games is over – LOC

    We will give breakdown of $48m when 13th African Games is over – LOC

    Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games has admitted that the government of Ghana has allocated an amount of $48 million as the operational budget for the hosting and organisation of the Games.

    The LOC made this public following the release of some documents by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ahead of the games.

    In a social media post dated February 26, 2024, Mr Ablakwa stated that the three entities have agreed to spend a significant and unjustifiable US$48 million on “operational expenses” for the 13th African Games, scheduled to be hosted in Ghana from March 5 to March 23, 2024.

    Despite admitting to this, the LOC has noted that it cannot make public details of what comprises the $48 million budgeted for presently.

    “Secondly, the $48m quoted in the letter leaked by Hon. Ablakwa as the operational budget for the hosting and organisation of the Games goes into recurrent expenditure, and the LOC will be in a better position to give a breakdown when the Games are over,” the LOC said in a statement.

    The LOC noted that the operational budget of the LOC cannot be limited to the 18-day period of the Games as hosting pan-continental competitions such as the iconic African Games comes with significant investment but also, with enduring country-impacting benefits.

    “The impression created by Hon. Ablakwa that the sum of USD$48m will be spent within the period spanning 8th-23rd March is an erroneous and disingenuous ploy to divert the attention of Ghanaians from the excellent work done by the Government of Ghana and the LOC to organise and host the 13th African Games. This is the first time Ghana is getting the opportunity to host the most significant sporting tournament in Africa since it was first established in 1965,” it added.

    The LOC continued: “It must be noted however, that hosting 54 African countries comes with huge cost implications in the areas of Medical and Anti-doping, Transport, Accommodation, Catering. Branding, Games Management System. Team Ghana preparation, Broadcasting and Equipment for 29 sporting disciplines among others.”

    According to Mr Ablakwa, “this staggering US$48 million is an entirely different amount from the mega US$195 million (GHS2.4 billion) already spent on infrastructure for the games.”

    “At the prevailing exchange rate, US$48 million is equivalent to a colossal GHS602 million,” he added.

  • Borteyman for handball, UG for rugby: Check out all venues for the 13th African Games

    Borteyman for handball, UG for rugby: Check out all venues for the 13th African Games

    As the scheduled date for the 13th African Games, to be hosted in Ghana, draws near, the venues for the various competitions have been revealed.

    This 15-day tournament is set to occur between March 8 and March 23, 2024.

    The Borteyman Sports Complex will host Badminton, handball, weightlifting, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, fencing and tennis, along with combat sports like Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, MMA and wrestling.

    The new aquatic center will be for swimming and triathlon.

    The University of Ghana (Legon) stadium will be used as a games village, serving as the main games centre for accreditation, transport and other administrative issues, as well as a venue for arm wrestling, athletics (track and field events), squash and rugby.

    Meanwhile, 49 nations have officially declared their intention to compete in the eagerly awaited competition.

    However, five countries, namely Cape Verde, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, and South Sudan, are yet to confirm their presence.