Former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif cited in Auditor-General's African Games sanctions report

Former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has been named by the Auditor-General for possible sanctions following what the report describes as widespread procurement breaches, weak financial controls and unexplained expenditures linked to the 2023 African Games.The audit report identified administrative irregularities amounting to approximately GH1.15 billion, alongside an additional US$5.2 million in revenue-related losses and cash management breaches connected to the organisation of the continental event.At the centre of the report are former Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif, former Chief Director of the Ministry William Kartey and former Local Organising Committee Chairman Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, all of whom were repeatedly cited in recommendations for sanctions under Section 92 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended.According to the Auditor-General, many of the irregularities were not isolated incidents but reflected systemic failures in procurement approvals, contract design, financial oversight, payment systems and accountability structures.One of the biggest findings in the report involved GH336.63 million paid under fixed lump-sum contracts covering accommodation, transport, catering and anti-doping services without adequate verification systems. Auditors stated there were no proper rooming lists, meal registers, passenger manifests or testing documentation to confirm actual usage of the services paid for.The report also questioned the engagement of JDK Travel & Tours for accommodation services despite the company reportedly lacking the required accommodation licensing. Auditors further indicated they were unable to independently verify several hotel partners listed under the arrangement.Another major concern involved related-party contract exposure worth GH150.62 million. The audit linked JDK Travel & Tours, Delovely Co. Ltd and Jorninas Co. Ltd to a single beneficial owner while the companies handled contracts involving transport, logistics, ticketing, accommodation, sports equipment and medals.The Auditor-General further identified GH55.77 million in contracts executed without itemised pricing or clearly defined scopes of work, making proper audit verification difficult.In addition, GH20.37 million in cash withdrawals were reportedly made outside Ghanas GIFMIS financial management system without supporting documentation, while US$247,194 received from participating countries could not be fully traced in banking records.The report also highlighted concerns surrounding broadcast and media rights arrangements involving the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. GBC Director-General Prof. Amin Alhassan was cited for possible sanctions over procurement irregularities and staff deployment issues linked to broadcast operations during the Games.Auditors stated that projected broadcast revenues of US$5 million eventually resulted in only US$45,000 in licensing fees, despite the state reportedly spending US$3.6 million on production costs.The report additionally flagged GH482.52 million in construction supervision failures, with consultants accused of certifying defective works without proper quality assurance documentation, leading to major infrastructure defects.Further findings included 55 single-source contracts executed without adequate justification, supplier vetting or benchmarking procedures.The Auditor-General concluded that several of the identified breaches warrant disciplinary action and sanctions under Ghanas procurement laws, with the issue now shifting to possible enforcement by the relevant state institutions.



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