The Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan, has refuted the Sports Minister’s assertion that GBC received $3 million for covering the 2023 African Games.
Prof. Alhassan clarified that the national broadcaster only received $105,000 for its coverage of the event, which took place from February to March this year. He stated that this amount was used to cover costs associated with suspending some of GBC’s regular programming during the Games.
“I want to clarify that GBC’s total benefit from the African Games was $105,000. No additional funds were paid to GBC,” Prof. Alhassan said in an interview on Uniq FM. He also noted that GBC was only invited to cover the Games about a month before the event.
These remarks come after Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif claimed during a Public Accounts Committee session on August 19, 2024, that the government had paid over $3 million to GBC for its role as the official broadcaster. Ussif mentioned that he could not recall the exact figure but confirmed it was above $3 million.
“Yes, GBC was the official broadcaster for the 13th All African Games, and I can confirm that full payment has been made to GBC. I can’t remember the exact amount but I know that it is in the excess of $3 million,” Mustapha Ussif said.
The Minister’s statement has sparked controversy and widespread discussion on social media, with many expressing concern over the reported amount.
