A forensic audit commissioned by former President John Dramani Mahama into Ghana’s hosting of the 13th African Games has revealed widespread financial irregularities amounting to GH¢580,042,347.40.
The 700-page report, referenced AG.SAR/2026/03 and signed by Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu, was conducted under Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) following a presidential directive in October 2025.
Auditors examined procurement, infrastructure, broadcasting, and post-event asset management, noting that despite GH¢2.25 billion in government releases, sponsorships, and participation fees, liabilities of GH¢208.6 million remain outstanding.
Three former officials—Mustapha Ussif, William Kartey, and Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare—were repeatedly cited for sanctions and recovery actions.
- Inflated Contracts: Delovely Company Limited received GH¢38.9 million for sports equipment, but items worth $206,000 were never supplied. Overpayments totaled GH¢4.5 million.
- Accommodation & Transport: JDK Travel and Tours billed $1.58 million for hotel rooms, with inflated costs of GH¢10.1 million. Transport contracts showed overpricing of GH¢13.1 million.
- Unsupported Payments: GH¢336.6 million was paid without delivery verification, with no occupancy lists, transport logs, or catering registers.
- Catering & Related Parties: $2.83 million in embedded costs lacked justification, while GH¢150.6 million in contracts involved related-party exposure.
- Cash Withdrawals: GH¢20.4 million was withdrawn in cash against regulations; GH¢15.1 million was spent on unrelated Black Stars staff payments.
- Broadcasting & Infrastructure: Weak broadcasting rights management led to lost revenue, while inspections revealed cracks, drainage failures, and incomplete works requiring $1 million in repairs.
- Single-Sourced Contracts: GH¢2.7 billion in contracts were awarded without sufficient justification.
The Auditor-General concluded that the irregularities reflected systemic institutional weaknesses rather than isolated lapses, recommending recovery actions and structural reforms.
