A forensic audit into Ghana’s organisation of the 2023 African Games has uncovered over $40 million in avoidable expenditure.
Commissioned by President Mahama last year, the audit examined spending on the competition held between late February and mid-March 2024. It revealed widespread financial irregularities, including inflated costs, questionable claims, omitted project components, and inefficiencies across multiple developments.
The report flagged significant inconsistencies in project execution, particularly at the Borteyman Sports Complex, University of Ghana Stadium, Games Village hostels, cricket facilities, and related access roads. Auditors highlighted “opportunity costs,” irregular contract variations, and discrepancies in Bills of Quantities.
The Borteyman Sports Complex recorded the most significant concerns, with an estimated $34.43 million in omitted works and reduced scope from an initial contract value of $145.09 million. Several planned components—including access roads, drainage systems, and auxiliary facilities—were either removed or scaled down, despite increases in consultancy fees.
At the University of Ghana Stadium, auditors identified over $2.8 million in claims linked to delays, cost adjustments, and other variations, raising concerns about their financial justification.
The Games Village hostel refurbishment also drew criticism, with auditors questioning a $1.176 million repainting claim and identifying additional costs that lacked sufficient supporting details.
Further scrutiny of the Achimota Cricket Oval access road project revealed potential savings of over GH¢4.3 million if standard rates had been applied, alongside discrepancies in contractor charges and doubts about reported site conditions.
Overall, the Audit Service estimated total avoidable costs exceeding $38.96 million and GH¢6.33 million across the reviewed African Games infrastructure projects.
