Former Minister for Youth and Sports and Member of Parliament for Yagaba/Kubori, Mustapha Ussif has firmly responded to findings contained in an Auditor-General’s report on the 2023 African Games, which recommends that he and other officials be held financially accountable for the recovery of more than GHS 579 million allegedly linked to irregular expenditures.
The audit report, commissioned in 2025, raises concerns over a wide range of financial issues including alleged cost inflation, unsupported payments, non delivery of goods, and deviations from approved contractual terms across several expenditure categories such as catering services, transport logistics, accommodation arrangements, equipment procurement, and infrastructure development works.
It further recommends the recovery of additional funds denominated in foreign currencies, including over 44 million United States dollars and 629,070 euros, from individuals associated with the organisation and execution of the continental sporting event.
In a formal statement issued on Tuesday, May 26, Mustapha Ussif categorically denied any involvement in or responsibility for the alleged financial irregularities, insisting that he should not be held liable for the issues outlined in the Auditor-General’s findings.
He stated that his attention had been drawn to the publication of the report titled Comprehensive Audit Report on the 13th African Games Accra 2023, adding that while the document attributes various infractions to him, he does not accept any wrongdoing.
The former minister further indicated that he expects the report to be formally presented before Parliament, where individuals referenced in the findings will be granted the opportunity to respond fully to the allegations and clarify their roles.
He stressed that due process must be followed and expressed confidence that he would be able to address all claims of impropriety once given the appropriate forum to do so.
The Auditor-General’s report reportedly highlights extensive financial concerns spanning nearly all operational aspects of the Games, including large scale engineering works and construction projects where significant contract variations and suspected cost inflation were identified.
Among the key projects referenced are the Borteyman Sports Complex, the University of Ghana Stadium, and the Legon Sports Village, all of which were flagged for alleged irregularities in procurement and execution processes.
The Auditor-General has subsequently recommended that the officials named in the report be held jointly responsible for the recovery of the flagged amounts as part of ongoing accountability and public financial management procedures.
