President Mahama Confirms Interrogation of Officials Over 2023 African Games Scandal
President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that a number of government officials have been questioned in connection with the scandal surrounding the 13th African Games, which took place in Accra in March 2024.
Speaking during a national address on Wednesday night to mark his first 120 days in office, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability in public service.
“A cornerstone of our commitment to good governance and accountability is tackling corruption and eliminating waste,” President Mahama said.
“I promised to initiate inquiries and forensic audits into several critical matters of public interest. This war against corruption continues unabated. A number of officials have been invited and questioned concerning the 13th African Games.”
The Games, which Ghana hosted for the first time, have since been overshadowed by allegations of financial mismanagement and potential misuse of public funds.
According to reports, approximately $245 million was expended on the event, with a further $15 million allegedly spent on feeding athletes and officials. Another $4.5 million was said to have gone into the games management system and accreditation tags.
Earlier this month, former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif was invited for questioning by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB). While the reasons for his interrogation were not made public at the time, it is now suspected to be linked to the African Games expenditure.
The President’s remarks underscore his administration’s drive to address what many have criticized as a lack of transparency and oversight in the organization of major sporting events.
