How $15m was spent on feeding during African Games - LOC explains

Kwesi Mantey, a member of the Local Organising Committee, has explained how the LOC spent $15 million on feeding athletes at the 13th African Games.

Mantey, who was in charge of food, admitted spending the said amount but denied reports that it was spent on feeding 5,500 athletes. He clarified that the money was spent on feeding 13,000 individuals instead.

Giving a breakdown, he noted that the individuals fed included athletes, officials, International Technical Officers (ITOs), Local Technical Officers (LTOs), volunteers, and the media.

"It's true that we used $15 million, but it's not true that we fed only 5,500 people. We fed close to 13,000 people. Athletes, officials, International Technical Officers (ITOs), Local Technical Officers (LTOs), volunteers who were about 3,000, media, and all other people sum up to 13,000. So if someone says we fed 5,000 people with the $15 million, it's not true," he said on Peace FM.

He further mentioned that the LOC budgeted $15 per meal for every individual while having four sections of food available as required by the protocol agreement signed with the African Union.

"It wasn't just two or three meals. We had breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails and snacks. For instance, every breakfast, we had a tea station, protein station, porridge area, cereal point, and one hot meal. Even in the sugar area, we were made to have a variety including honey. We planned and calculated $15 per meal for each person. So the four sections were $60," he added.

Mantey also explained that the LOC fed people for more than 18 days as speculated by the media.

"The games itself had 18 days, but there were early arrivals and late departures. So we put in 23 days. The Games village was opened on 27th February, and we had about 12 to 20 teams arriving."

Kwesi Mantey's explanation addresses the ranking member on the Youth, Sports, and Culture Committee of Parliament, Kobena Woyome's earlier revelation that the LOC spent $15 million on feeding athletes.

Speaking with Joy Sports, he said the committee has demanded further details into the money spent on the games and will further conduct an investigation.

"You are spending $245 million, and out of that, we got to know that a whopping amount of $15 million was used to feed athletes for 18 days," he said.

"You realize that some of these things need to be investigated. We wanted to know how many athletes actually made it. How many got registered? In fact, we need to get a report from the games management system because the system must be able to tell us. How many actually came and participated in the Games? All these details we would want to know."

EE/BB