Ex-Sports Minister Ussif to face parliamentary probe over African Games spending

Former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif is set to face questioning from Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee on Thursday regarding financial irregularities and procurement breaches linked to Ghana’s hosting of the 2023 African Games. The committee is probing spending on the tournament following a forensic audit by the Ghana Audit Service, which uncovered financial improprieties and procurement violations totaling over GH¢580 million.

Ussif, who held the Sports Minister position during the Games, is anticipated to clarify the ministry’s involvement in the procurement and expenditure processes. This comes a day after the committee received testimony from Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and former Local Organising Committee Executive Chairman Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare.

Ofosu-Asare stated to lawmakers that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) was not responsible for procurement, asserting that the process was managed by the Ministry of Sports. The committee is anticipated to proceed with its investigation, aiming to gain further insight into the spending decisions and procurement procedures surrounding the 2023 African Games.