Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has strongly denied allegations of financial wrongdoing following a forensic audit report on the 13th African Games held in Accra, insisting he bears no responsibility for any of the irregularities cited.
His response comes after a 700-page forensic audit report released by the Ghana Audit Service, which highlighted widespread financial concerns in the organisation of the continental sporting event. The report, which examined spending linked to the Games, has drawn significant attention due to the scale of alleged irregularities identified.
According to the findings, Ussif; alongside former Chief Director William Kartey and Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare was cited in connection with financial discrepancies amounting to GH₵580,042,347.40.
The Auditor-General has further recommended that the former minister be held jointly responsible for the recovery of GH₵579,114,352.24, alongside $44,354,881.77 and €629,070, as part of efforts to address the reported financial shortfalls.
However, Ussif has firmly rejected the allegations, stating that he does not accept responsibility for any of the irregularities identified in the audit.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“The said report, I understand attributes various irregularities to me. I however deny being responsible for any such irregularities, if any at all.”
He further indicated that he expects the opportunity to formally respond to the findings when the report is presented to Parliament, suggesting that due process will allow individuals named in the document to defend themselves.
“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,” he added.
“Therefore, I look forward to the opportunity to respond to all the claims of impropriety in the said report.”
The audit into the African Games has already sparked widespread debate over procurement processes, contract management, and financial oversight during the preparation and hosting of the event. The report reportedly raises concerns over the handling of large-scale expenditures linked to infrastructure, services, and operational logistics.
While the Games themselves were successfully staged in Accra, the audit findings have shifted attention to governance issues behind the scenes, with questions being raised about accountability in one of Ghana’s biggest sporting undertakings.
