2023 African Games: Sports Ministry took control of LOCAL Funds – Chairman

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2023 African Games, Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, has revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports took control of the funds meant for organising the continental sporting event, leaving the committee with limited financial authority over the Games.

The Revelation

Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Dr Ofosu-Asare said the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under then-Minister Mustapha Ussif, assumed control of the LOC’s finances, a development he said significantly hampered the committee’s ability to operate effectively.

According to him, although the LOC was established to oversee the planning, coordination and execution of the Games, the Ministry effectively took over the purse strings, determining how and when funds were released.

“The Ministry took control of the LOC funds. The committee was set up to organise the Games, but when it came to the finances, the Ministry was in charge. We had to go through them for every expenditure,” Dr Ofosu-Asare said.

He explained that the arrangement created bottlenecks and made it difficult for the LOC to meet its obligations to contractors, suppliers and service providers in a timely manner.

Background

Ghana hosted the 13th African Games, also known as the Accra 2023 African Games, from March 8 to March 23, 2024, after several delays. The event was originally scheduled to be held in 2023 but was postponed due to logistical and financial challenges.

The Games brought together thousands of athletes from across the African continent to compete in various sporting disciplines, including athletics, swimming, boxing, football and basketball.

The event was held at the newly constructed Borteyman Sports Complex and the renovated University of Ghana Sports Stadium, among other venues.

However, the preparations for the Games were dogged by controversy, including disputes over funding, delays in the completion of facilities, and allegations of mismanagement.

In the lead-up to the Games, there were reports of tensions between the LOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports over the control of resources and decision-making. Dr Ofosu-Asare’s latest comments appear to confirm those reports.

Financial Controversy

The 2023 African Games were estimated to have cost Ghana over $200 million, with funding coming from the government, the African Union, and other partners.

In 2023, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under Mustapha Ussif, faced criticism over the handling of funds allocated for the Games. There were allegations that some payments to contractors and suppliers were delayed, leading to threats of work stoppages at some venues.

The Ministry also faced questions over the procurement of equipment and services for the Games, with some critics alleging inflated costs and lack of transparency.

In 2024, after the Games, the government announced that it was conducting an audit of the expenditure to ensure accountability. The findings of that audit have not been made public.

LOC Chairman’s Concerns

Dr Ofosu-Asare said the LOC’s lack of financial autonomy was a major challenge during his tenure as chairman.

“We were expected to deliver a world-class event, but we didn’t have control over the resources. Every decision had to go through the Ministry. It slowed us down and created unnecessary friction,” he said.

He also revealed that the LOC had to rely on the Ministry for the release of funds for critical activities, including the payment of athletes’ allowances and the procurement of equipment.

“There were times when we needed funds urgently, but we had to wait for the Ministry to act. It was frustrating,” he added.

Implications

Dr Ofosu-Asare’s revelations raise fresh questions about the governance and financial management of the 2023 African Games, which was one of the most expensive sporting events ever hosted by Ghana.

They also highlight the ongoing tension between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the LOC, which was dissolved after the Games.

The revelations come amid a broader national conversation about accountability and transparency in the management of public funds, particularly in the sports sector.

Background on Mustapha Ussif

Mustapha Ussif served as the Minister for Youth and Sports under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

His tenure was marked by several controversies, including the handling of the Black Stars’ bonuses at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the management of funds for the African Games.

He was also criticised for the poor performance of Ghanaian athletes at major international competitions and for the state of sports infrastructure in the country.

Public Reaction

The revelations have sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians, with some calling for a full audit of the African Games expenditure and others expressing disappointment in the management of the event.

“We spent over $200 million on the African Games, and now we are hearing that the LOC didn’t even control the funds. Where did all the money go?” one social media user commented.

“Sports management in Ghana needs a complete overhaul. We cannot continue to spend millions of dollars on events without proper accountability,” another user said.

Some also blamed both the Ministry and the LOC for failing to work together effectively, which they said contributed to the challenges faced during the preparations for the Games.

What’s Next

It remains unclear whether Dr Ofosu-Asare’s revelations will lead to any formal investigation into the management of the African Games funds.

The government has not yet responded to his comments, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports has yet to issue a statement.

However, the revelations are likely to intensify calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds for sporting events in Ghana.

The African Games were a significant moment for Ghana, but the controversy surrounding their organisation appears to be far from over, with questions lingering about how the funds were managed and who was ultimately responsible.

The case is the latest in a series of revelations about the management of public funds in Ghana, following the cocaine trafficking investigation, the petition against Nitiwul, and the CID petition against Adwoa Safo.