Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, has raised serious concerns regarding the government’s expenditure on stadium rehabilitation projects following the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ban on Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium. The ban has had significant economic impacts, with businesses missing out on key opportunities and Ghana now without a venue to host upcoming international matches.
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a social media post, questioned the substantial payments he alleged was made by President Akufo-Addo and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Kelvin Ofori-Atta for these stadium projects, and yet no stadium in Ghana was fit to host a CAF game for senior national teams. According to vouchers he claimed to have intercepted, since 2019, Kelvin Ofori-Atta, owner of Coupbay and Cisdan, had consistently received large sums for rehabilitating key sports facilities, including the Accra Sports Stadium and Essipong Sports Stadium.
The payments, totaling GH¢ 32,261,183.78, failed to prevent the CAF ban, forcing Ghana to rely on neighboring countries like Togo and Ivory Coast for hosting international football matches. Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa further criticized the government’s handling of the situation, accusing it of wasting over GH¢85 million on what he described as “phantom stadium rehabilitations” that delivered no tangible results.
Specific payments he highlighted include those made for the rehabilitation of the Accra Sports Stadium and Essipong Sports stadia. Mr. Okudzto Ablakwa argued that the familial ties involved in these transactions complicate accountability and the delivery of value for money. He assured Ghanaians that those responsible for this “international embarrassment” would be held accountable. He also hinted at the Mahama administration’s plan to recover the funds, should they win the December 2024 elections, under the initiative “Operation-Recover-All-Loot” (ORAL).
