The Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has broken his silence concerning the irregularities of the 2023 African Games Forensic Audit attributed to him.
According to Mustapha Ussif, he is not responsible for any such irregularities.
He disclosed that he looks forward to the report being presented to Parliament for him to respond to all the claims of impropriety in the said report.
In a press statement, Mustapha Ussif wrote, “My attention has been drawn to the release of an audit report, which report is titled, Comprehensive Audit Report on the 13th African Games, Accra 2023.
The said report, I understand, attributes various irregularities to me. I, however, deny being responsible for any such irregularities, if any at all,
It is my understanding that the report of the audit will be presented to Parliament, and persons who may have answers to findings will be invited to respond accordingly.
Therefore, I look forward to the opportunity to respond to all the claims of impropriety in the said report”.
His statement follows, the Auditor-General, who has ordered three top officials at the heart of Ghana’s organisation of the 13th Africa Games to refund GHC 579 million.
Reports suggest the forensic audit commissioned by President Mahama last year uncovered several widespread instances of cost inflation, irregular payments, and unsupported expenditure across contracts linked to the event.
The three officials include Mustapha Ussif (former Minister of Youth and Sports), William Kartey (former Chief Director)and Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare (former LOC Chairman).
Although the Auditor-General did not make any criminal findings, it recommended that the three officials refund the money to the state.
Also, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Prof. Amin Alhassan, was named in relation to a training contract.
The auditors have recommended the recovery of an estimated GHC 579,114,352.24, alongside $44,354,881.77 and €629,070, quoting overpricing, unjustified payments, undelivered goods, and contractual variances.
According to the report, the findings cut across catering, accommodation, transport, equipment procurement, infrastructure, and administrative spending, painting a picture of systemic cost inflation during Ghana’s hosting of the continental multi-sport event.
See a breakdown of irregularities as cited by the Auditor-General as filed by Joy Sports.
“Catering irregularities – US$2.83 million and GHC 33.9 million
Auditors flagged $2,826,540 (GHC33,918,480) in non-feeding costs embedded within a catering contract, including transport, utilities, staffing, infrastructure, and administration—without supporting documentation or justification.
Anti-doping overpricing – €572,040 and GHC 8.01 million
A contract for anti-doping tests was found to be significantly above benchmark WADA laboratory rates, creating an overpricing gap of €572,040 (GHC 8,008,560).
Accommodation inflation – $840,000 and GHC10.08 million
Hotel rooms were reportedly charged at $150 per night, despite market rates ranging between $50 and $70, resulting in an inflated component of $840,000 (GHC10,080,000).
Sports equipment overpricing – $322,697 and GHC 3.87 million
Boxing, triathlon, hockey, and arm wrestling equipment contracts exceeded benchmark prices, with total variance estimated at $322,697.28 (GHC3,872,367.36).
Transport and logistics – over GHC30 million flagged in multiple layers
- Vehicle-related contracts form one of the largest clusters of irregularities:
- Branding and de-branding: GHC2,003,121.75
- Vehicle hiring overpricing: GHC13,120,226.21
- Over-invoicing adjustment: GHC2,201,514.00
- Excess rental charges: GHC239,520.00
- Together, these reflect a broader pattern of inflated logistics expenditure under JDK Travel & Tours contracts.
Undelivered and unaccounted equipment – $374,462 and GHC4.49 million
Auditors also flagged payments for sports equipment that were either not delivered or lacked specification, resulting in an overpayment of $374,462.39 (GHC4,493,548.68).
Unrelated LOC payments – GHC15.09 million
A further GHC15,093,666 was identified as unrelated to the Games, including payments routed to Black Stars technical staff and other non-Games activities.
Infrastructure defects – GHC12 million
Construction defects across key venues, including the Aquatic Centre and Legon Stadium, are estimated to require at least GHC12 million in rectification works.
Major EPC contract irregularities – $38.99 million and GHC467.89 million
The most significant anomaly relates to engineering and construction contracts for the Borteyman Sports Complex, University of Ghana Stadium, and Legon Sports Village.
Auditors flagged:
- Unjustified variations
- Inflated claims
- Scope reductions and additions outside contract discipline
Total irregular claims in this category stand at $38,991,182.10 (GHC467,894,185.20).
Inflated works contracts – GHC5.40 million
Three single-source infrastructure contracts were found to be overpriced due to lack of proper price-reasonableness assessments.
The grand picture: a financial trail under scrutiny
When aggregated, the audit’s recovery recommendations point to the following totals:
- GHC579,114,352.24
- $44,354,881.77
- € 629,070
These figures represent what auditors describe as unjustified expenditure, overpricing, undelivered goods, and contractual deviations across the entire Games delivery chain”.
It will be recalled that President John Mahama has directed the Auditor-General to conduct a forensic audit into the finances of the 13th African Games held in Accra in 2023.
This follows the submission of a report by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on the organisation and management of the 13th All-Africa Games.
John Mahama’s directive forms part of efforts to promote accountability, transparency, and value for money in the use of public funds.
The Auditor-General is expected to scrutinise all financial and operational aspects of the Games.
The forensic audit was expected to cover procurement and contracting, financial management, project delivery, asset utilisation, and institutional oversight.
See the full report below:
FORENSIC AUDIT INTO THE 13th ALL AFRICAN GAMES
— Austine (@obiMpenaAustine) May 26, 2026
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