LOC chairman Dr. Ofosu Asare addresses allegations of outrageous spending on 2023 African Games

Local Organizing Committee chairperson, Dr. Ofosu Asare, has addressed supposed false allegations by the media regarding funds spent at the 13th African Games hosted in Ghana.

The chairman refuted claims that the LOC spent a staggering $4.5 million on a games management system for the Games.

Dr. Ofosu Asare vehemently denied any allegation of using a bloated budget, stating categorically that the LOC did not spend the the supposed $4.5 million.

"Take note, we paid $2.9 million for the Games management system and not $4.5 million. We did not spend the taxpayer's money to that tune. The documents are there if you want to check," he said at a fact-behind-figures press conference organized by the LOC.

While clarifying other false claims shared by the media regarding the games, Dr. Asare mentioned that the LOC's budget for insurance was in cedis, which is in contrast to the reported $4.5 million.

He further stated that GLICO, who were contracted for the insurance, are still yet to be paid the agreed amount for premium package insurance.

"Without the insurance, there was no way we would've been able to host the games, therefore it was mandatory for the LOC to arrange for an insurance cover for the games. The premium we took was GHC 3,931,402 and $4.5 million. Unfortunately, we did not get sponsorship for insurance and as we speak, GLIDCO, who insured the games, we have not paid them a penny but they went ahead to underwrite the premium for us to enable us to host the games."

Regarding money spent on feeding athletes, the chairman asserted that the LOC signed a contract with LnM to provide four meals daily, which spanned over 23 days and not 18 days as reported earlier.

"They were to provide four meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for 23 days, not the 18 and other figures that are being thrown about. And I want to say emphatically that there wasn't any person who had food poisoning."

Dr. Ofosu Asare entreated the media to fact-check the report before feeding the public. He also assured that the committee will gladly make documents available for the media to clarify any skeptical information.

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

Mantey, who was in charge of meals, 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.

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.

The LOC's facts-and-figures press conference addresses various media allegations as well as some claims made by member of Parliament's Youth, Sports, and Culture Committee, Kobena Woyome.

EE/EK