The forensic audit ordered by President John Dramani Mahama into Ghana’s 2023 African Games infrastructure has uncovered over $38.96 million and GH¢6.33 million in avoidable costs, inflated rates, and dubious claims.
The audit conducted by the Auditor-General looked into the construction and refurbishment of facilities for the tournament, which took place between February and March 2024.
The most severe irregularities occurred at the Borteyman Sports Complex, where auditors identified a $34.43 million “opportunity cost” due to severe scope reduction from the original $145.09 million contract.
Major components—including football warm-up fields, lecture hall conversions, access roads, drainage works, and an electrical substation—were completely omitted or scaled back. Despite this significantly reduced workload, consultant supervision fees inexplicably rose from 3 per cent to 3.83 per cent.
At the University of Ghana Stadium, delays and contract variations triggered $2.814 million in extra costs, encompassing prolongation expenses, interest on delayed payments, and statutory arrears, alongside discrepancies between consultant records and interim payment certificates.
Furthermore, the refurbishment of the University of Ghana hostels, which served as the Games Village, incurred a $1.717 million loss from scope shrinkage.
This included a highly contentious $1.176 million claim for repainting, which auditors flagged as an unjustified double-charge already covered in the original contract.
Over $1.6 million was also spent on unverified expenses, including canteen works, bedsheets, and mattresses.
Contractors for ancillary projects also inflated costs significantly.
The Department of Urban Roads revealed that the Achimota Cricket Oval access road could have saved GH¢4.376 million if standard rates had been applied, noting massive price disparities in excavation, surfacing, and drainage works by contractor Mawums Limited.
Similarly, the Achimota Cricket Pavilions project could have saved GH¢346,793.21 based on industry benchmarks.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
