The National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa has stated that newly leaked documents in his possession can reveal that Ghana spent over GHS85 million of taxpayer funds on the renovation of three major national sports stadia, with the contracts awarded to companies linked to individuals close to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Despite these expenditures, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned the country’s stadia from hosting international competitions, raising questions about the quality of work delivered.

A detailed investigation by Mr. Ablakwa has led to the conclusion that the funds were mismanaged, with Ghana failing to get value for money.

This, he believes, could have prevented the ban if the renovations had been conducted properly.

In a statement dated Sunday, September 15, 2024, Mr Ablakwa stated that the emerging details point to alleged corruption and nepotism, with the contracts benefiting individuals connected to the president and other high-ranking officials.

Breakdown of Expenditures

GHS41.9 Million for Essipong (Sekondi) Stadium Renovation
On July 14, 2023, Dr. John A. Kumah, then Deputy Minister for Finance, authorized GHS41.9 million for the rehabilitation of Essipong Stadium. The contract was awarded to Cisdan Company Limited, owned by Kelvin Ofori-Atta, a relative of both President Akufo-Addo and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.  By October 25, 2023, the company had already been paid GHS6.8 million, with further payments following.  Despite these large sums, the stadium remains in poor condition, calling into question the effectiveness of the rehabilitation work.

GHS22.4 Million for Accra Sports Stadium Renovation
On February 27, 2020, the Ministry of Youth and Sports signed an agreement with Coupbay Ghana Limited to renovate the Accra Sports Stadium for GHS22.4 million. Coupbay is also owned by Kelvin Ofori-Atta, the same individual linked to the Essipong Stadium project.  An interim payment of GHS11.2 million was made to the company less than a month after the contract was signed, with more payments following in 2021.  Despite these hefty payouts, the stadium has still been banned by CAF, further fueling suspicions of poor work and mismanagement.

GHS21.1 Million for Baba Yara (Kumasi) Sports Stadium Renovation
On April 6, 2020, Javkier Limited was awarded a contract worth GHS21.1 million for the renovation of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Javkier, owned by individuals identified as the Arhin family, received several payments for work on the stadium, yet the facility remains in a state of disrepair. In June 2023, the Ministry of Youth and Sports certified the company for payment, despite widespread concerns about the quality of the renovation.

Allegations of Corruption and Nepotism

The documents reveal a pattern of contracts being awarded to companies owned by relatives and close associates of high-ranking officials.

The involvement of politically connected individuals like Kelvin Ofori-Atta in multiple contracts has raised questions about nepotism and corruption within the government.

The ongoing mismanagement has resulted in Ghana facing an international ban from CAF competitions due to the dilapidated state of its stadiums, despite the massive sums spent on renovations.

Critics argue that the revelations expose a deeper issue of misappropriation of public funds, with parliamentary oversight pointing to a "create, loot, and share" scheme that has enriched a select few while leaving Ghana's sports infrastructure in shambles.

The poor condition of the stadia has led to embarrassment on the international stage, with CAF’s decision seen as a direct consequence of the government’s failure to ensure proper renovation and oversight.

Some parliamentarians and civil society groups are demanding that President Akufo-Addo and his government be held responsible for the stadium debacle.

They are urging investigations into the mismanagement of funds, prosecution of those involved, and impeachment proceedings against the president for what they describe as "corruption, nepotism, and lootocracy."

Part 2 to Follow

This investigation is ongoing, with further revelations expected in the coming weeks,Mr Ablakwa assured.