A forensic audit commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama into Ghana’s hosting of the 2023 African Games has uncovered widespread financial irregularities, inflated contracts,
The report indicates that a forensic audit commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama into Ghana’s hosting of the 2023 African Games has uncovered widespread financial irregularities, inflated contracts, unsupported expenditure and procurement breaches amounting to GH¢580 million.
It further notes that the 700-page report referenced AG.SAR/2026/03 and signed by Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu, examined the operational, financial and technical management of the Games, including procurement, infrastructure delivery, broadcasting and post-Games asset management.
The audit was conducted under Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584), following a request from the Office of the President dated 22 October 2025.
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According to the report, Ghana received and spent a total of GH¢2.245 billion on the Games through government releases, sponsorships and participation fees. Despite this, auditors identified outstanding liabilities of GH¢208.6 million, comprising GH¢155.1 million, US$4.1 million and €288,775.
The report repeatedly recommends recovery actions and sanctions against former Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, former Chief Director William Kartey and former Local Organising Committee Chairman Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare.
Among the findings, the audit indicated that the Ministry of Sports paid GH¢38.9 million to Delovely Company Limited under a sports equipment contract valued at US$3.24 million, despite equipment worth US$206,000 for table tennis, badminton and handball never being supplied.
Auditors also questioned an additional lump-sum item of US$408,000 labelled simply as “Sports Equipment”, which lacked specifications and supporting documentation.
The report concluded that the revised payable contract value should have been US$2.62 million, resulting in an overpayment of US$374,000, approximately GH¢4.5 million.
Anti-doping tests procured from Omni Speciality Product Limited at a cost of €739,000 were also found to be overpriced. Benchmarking against rates charged by World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratories showed that unit prices significantly exceeded market rates, resulting in an estimated overcharge of €572,000, approximately GH¢8 million.
Accommodation services for Games officials were contracted through JDK Travel and Tours at US$150 per room per night for 500 rooms over 21 days, amounting to US$1.58 million.
However, market verification showed official hotel rates ranged between US$50 and US$70 per room, placing the justifiable total at approximately US$735,000. Auditors therefore identified an inflated component of US$840,000, approximately GH¢10.1 million.
The audit described the engagement of JDK Travel and Tours as particularly problematic, noting that the company was registered as a travel and tour entity and had no accommodation licence.
The report further stated that two hotels listed by the company could not be independently verified.
