I heard GNPC airlifted fans to Eq. Guinea - Ayariga

Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga says he “heard” that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) bore the cost of airlifting Ghanaian fans to Equatorial Guinea to watch the just-ended 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Starrfmonline.com’s investigations last week revealed that the Government of Ghana spent over six million dollars ($6million) to airlift fans to Equatorial Guinea to watch matches involving the Black Stars.

Further investigations revealed that the Government spent at least $165, 000 to fly 250 fans on two chartered flights to the oil-rich country to watch the Black Stars’ semi-final game, but it has now been revealed that government actually spent one million dollars each on six separate trips for all the six games played by the Black Stars at the AFCON.

Mr Ayariga last week told Starr 103.5FM that his Ministry had no involvement whatsoever in flying Ghanaian fans to Equatorial Guinea to watch the senior national team.

Speaking to Kwadwo Asare Barfour Acheampong on Asempa FM Tuesday, the former Information minister said he is certain that the trip was not sponsored by the central government.

“I’m saying that the ministry of Youth and Sports had no hand in the airlifting of supporters to Equatorial Guinea. I heard that it was GNPC.

“I was there and all I did was to help, and I know that the GNPC Chief Executive and staff were there to support in the process,” he stated.