From GH¢100m to GH¢604m: Ablakwa blows alarm on hiked All African Games ‘operational expenses’

In a startling revelation, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has raised serious concerns over the spiraling operational expenses for the upcoming 13th All African Games hosted by Ghana. Through documents made public, Ablakwa has highlighted what appears to be a substantial fiscal discrepancy involving an over 500% increase in the originally approved budget by Parliament for the event’s operational costs.

The heart of the issue lies in the staggering amount of US$48 million (equivalent to GH¢602 million), earmarked for “operational expenses” of the games set to run from March 5 to March 23, 2024. This figure stands in stark contrast to the US$195 million (GH¢2.4 billion) already allocated for infrastructure, sparking debates on fiscal responsibility and transparency within the government’s ranks.

Ablakwa ‘s allegations concerning the All African Games squarely place President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) at the center of this financial uproar. According to the documents, this expenditure was agreed upon without parliamentary approval, a move Ablakwa deems “elephantine, wrongful, and unconscionable.”

In a meticulously detailed social media post-dated February 26, 2024, Ablakwa not only questioned the legality of the revised budget but also criticized the President’s approach towards raising funds for these operational expenses for hosting the All African Games. Highlighting a series of fundraising meetings chaired by President Akufo-Addo, he pointed to a potentially problematic reliance on public funds and significant contributions from state-owned enterprises and private companies with substantial government contracts.

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The implications of such financial decisions are far-reaching, especially for a country grappling with economic challenges and an ongoing IMF bailout negotiation. Ablakwa ‘s exposé about the government on the All African Games raises critical questions about fiscal discipline, priority setting in government spending, and the broader impacts on Ghana’s economy.

Moreover, the MP’s call to action suggests a brewing storm in Parliament, with hints at possible impeachment discussions and a summons for the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, to clarify these expenditures. This scenario underlines a growing concern over governance, accountability, and the stewardship of public funds in Ghana.

As the country prepares to host a significant continental sporting event, the debate over the All-African Games budget underscores a critical juncture in Ghana’s political and fiscal landscape. It presents a moment for reflection on governance priorities, the importance of fiscal oversight, and the need for a balanced approach to hosting international events without compromising the country’s financial integrity.

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For God and Country, as Ablakwa signs off, this controversy is not just about numbers on a balance sheet but about the principles of transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of a nation’s resources for the benefit of its people.

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