Akufo-Addo paid GH¢32 million to cousin Kelvin Ofori-Atta for stadium renovations - Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that payments totaling GH¢32 million were made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to their cousin, Kelvin Ofori-Atta, for stadium rehabilitations in the country.

In his latest report on Sunday, September 15, 2024, Ablakwa disclosed that the Akufo-Addo-led government entered into a contract with Cisdan Company Limited and Coupbay, both owned by Kelvin Ofori-Atta.

Ablakwa, through intercepted payment vouchers, disclosed that the first contract was signed in 2019, and Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s companies, Coupbay and Cisdan, received over GH¢32 million for the rehabilitation of the Accra Sports Stadium and the Essipong Sports Stadium.

Below is how Ablakwa broke down the payments:

1. On March 18, 2019 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid GH¢6,006,868.44 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium.

2. On June 18, 2020 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid another GH¢10,662,700.28 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium.

3. On March 10, 2021 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was again paid GH¢4,754,829.56 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium.

4. On May 27, 2022 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid an additional GH¢4,325,539.84 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium.

5. On December 29, 2023 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Cisdan was paid GH¢6,511,245.66 to rehabilitate the Essipong Sports Stadium.

These five payment vouchers alone amount to a staggering total of GH¢32,261,183.78.

The North Tongu MP’s revelations come after the Confederation of African Football revoked the approval for Baba Yara Sports Stadium to host international matches, citing its status as a Category 3 venue.

This includes an uneven playing field, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover.

According to the MP, "This monumental international embarrassment could have been avoided if Ghana had received value for money in these rehabilitations."

He also accused the government of mismanaging taxpayer funds and contributing to Ghana’s football disgrace.

THE PROMPT ANNUAL PAYMENTS PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO AND KEN OFORI-ATTA MADE TO KELVIN OFORI-ATTA FOR STADIUM REHABILITATIONS WHICH COULD STILL NOT SAVE GHANA FROM A CAF BAN

I continue to make more interceptions of vital documents as I seek to unravel through diligent parliamentary… pic.twitter.com/H1v1zpEhkJ

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) September 15, 2024