Accra – President John Dramani Mahama has ordered a full‑scale forensic audit of the 13th All‑African Games, the continent’s showcase that wrapped up in March 2024, after a cascade of questions about how the public purse was handled.
The directive, issued on 4 November 2025, follows a National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) report that flagged several “red‑flag” areas, from ballooning infrastructure costs to a baffling food bill for just 18 days of competition.
Why the probe?
– Infrastructure overspend – Parliament earmarked $195 million for stadiums, the Games Village and other facilities, yet sources say more than $250 million may have been spent, a gap of roughly $55 million that has yet to be explained.
– Broadcasting payments in dispute – The Sports Ministry told Parliament it had paid the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) $3 million for the Games’ television coverage. GBC’s Director‑General has publicly denied this, insisting the broadcaster received only $105,000.
– Operational budget for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) – A whopping $150 million was allocated to the LOC purely for running the event. The audit will trace how those funds were disbursed and whether they delivered value for money.
– Food costs that raised eyebrows – Critics point to a $15 million bill for “waakye” and other meals over a mere 18 days of competition, a figure that has sparked jokes on social media but also serious concern over procurement practices.
– Post‑Games cash injections – Even after the closing ceremony on 23 March 2024, Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta authorised additional transfers totalling $168 million to the Sports Ministry:
– 17 May 2024 – GHS 70 million released
– 3 July 2024 – GHS 30 million released
– 16 July 2024 – GHS 30 million released
– 16 July 2024 – an extra GHS 38.8 million released
These payments, made months after the athletes had left Accra and Cape Coast, have intensified calls for clarity.
President Mahama said the audit “shows our government’s commitment to accountability, transparency and value for money in the use of public resources” ⁴. The Auditor‑General has been given until the second week of December 2025 to deliver a comprehensive report covering procurement, financial management, infrastructure delivery, asset handling and the coordination of all agencies involved.
The 13th African Games, billed as “Accra 2023,” were hailed for their vibrant opening ceremony and the strong performance of Ghanaian athletes, but the mounting financial questions have cast a long shadow over the legacy of the event. As the investigation gets underway, Ghanaians are watching closely, hoping the audit will finally pull the curtain back on a tournament that cost more than its headline price tag.
The story will be updated as the Auditor‑General’s findings become public.