The Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC) instructed auditors throughout a forensic audit of the thirteenth African Video games to be held in Ghana in 2024 that the choice to simply accept the ministry’s “last-minute” request was primarily based on nationwide curiosity concerns, given the pressing nature of the Video games and the circumstances surrounding the preparations, and geared toward stopping potential worldwide embarrassment and reputational harm to the nation.
He stated Ghana and the state broadcaster would face severe prosecution in the event that they failed to provide and broadcast the match.
Certainly, GBC’s “inside processes have been gradual,” he stated.
Nonetheless, the appliance for procurement ratification was submitted to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and duly ratified.
The response is contained within the forensic audit commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama of the 2025 African Video games, a duplicate of which was seen. graphics on-line.
In its report, the Auditor Basic pointed to widespread price inflation within the group of the Video games from the sectoral ministry degree to native organizing committees, irregular funds, and unsubstantiated expenditures in some contracts associated to the Video games.
The 700-page audit report, which incorporates appendices, exhibits that Ghana’s internet hosting of the thirteenth African Video games was topic to monetary irregularities totaling CHF580,042,347.40, together with rampant exorbitant pricing, unqualified contractors, ghost gear and systematic evasion of procurement legal guidelines, in accordance with auditors.
ALSO READ: ‘Excessive-value contracts’ in audit report for African Video games 2023 to be held in Ghana
Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC)
Concerning broadcasting issues and the involvement of the Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports activities, the Auditor-Basic took subject with some sub-contracts entered into by the GBC and really useful sanctions towards the GBC Director-Basic, Professor Amin Alhassan, and three others, together with the then Minister of Trade and the LOC Chairman.
The Auditor Basic raised the difficulty of “irregular coaching contracts with the Manufacturing Room (TPR) – €57,030.00 (GH¢684,360.00).”
The report stated audit interviews and doc evaluations discovered no proof of any coaching, together with schedules, attendance data, coaching supplies or certification paperwork, or that the efforts contributed in any option to the printed of the Video games.
It stated the contract was 100% pay as you go with out aggressive sourcing, wants evaluation or deliverable-based safeguards, and included undocumented scope expansions and embedded capital objects with out correct asset documentation.
The auditor really useful restoration of the quantity from Mustapha Usif, former Minister of Youth and Sports activities, William Kartoi, former Director Basic of Sectoral Ministries, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, former Native Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman, and Prof. Amin Alhassan, GBC Secretary-Basic.
Based on the station, the state broadcaster contracted out work totaling roughly GH¢3.56 million to service suppliers with out formal contracts.
He additionally touched on delays in ratification by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and procurement irregularities on the a part of the GBC.
The audit additional estimated that GBC misplaced $4.96 million (roughly GHF 59.5 million) in potential income resulting from insufficient broadcast administration and advertising of the match, largely resulting from management failures in managing GBC’s position within the match.
GBC administration’s response to auditors
This report contains an appendix by which GBC administration solutions and explains the problems raised by the auditors.
The complete response from GBC administration is connected beneath.
IV. Broadcasting/Manufacturing: Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC)
Topic: Service supplier contract with out formal contract –
Roughly GH¢ 3,560,213.52
Administrator response:
Contracts with the three listed clients have been ruled by formal agreements.
topic: Delay in PPA ratification and procurement fraud
Administrator response:
Administration acknowledged the audit findings. Admittedly, GBC’s inside processes have been gradual. Nonetheless, the appliance for procurement ratification was submitted to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and duly ratified.
Given the extraordinarily restricted timeframe of GBC’s mandate because the host broadcaster of the thirteenth African Video games, administration had no selection however to undertake single-source procurement. Below regular circumstances, according to the Procurement Regulation 2003 (Act 663) as amended by Act 914, the related costs would have required a full aggressive bidding course of and, for some distributors, overview by the Central Tendering Committee (CT). These processes would take a minimum of three months to finish, which was inconsistent with the urgency of the mission.
As well as, taking part distributors have been chosen by a rigorous analysis of their demonstrated capabilities, expertise, and monitor report in delivering related high-profile worldwide occasions.
For instance, PGS efficiently produced on the AFCON 2023 match hosted by Ivory Coast from January 13, 2024 to February 11, 2024, demonstrating the technical capabilities and operational excellence required for a mission of this scale. I’ve connected profiles for PGS, High quality Media, and The Manufacturing Room.
It stated Silicon Home Productions and Broadstem Co Ltd are GBC’s current service suppliers.
The Silicon Home Manufacturing OB Van is the best van within the nation and the one one utilized by GBC for manufacturing of worldwide soccer matches.
GBC stated it had beforehand communicated to the Ministry of International Affairs the necessity for advance planning for the Olympics.
Had GBC’s request been revered, a standard procurement course of would have taken place.
The Ministry of Finance (MoYS) stated it had requested the GBC to take accountability for producing and broadcasting the video games, only one month earlier than they open. often,
“The GBC would have declined this Eleventh-hour invitation given the truth that the GBC had beforehand requested a minimum of one 12 months’s advance discover to permit it to arrange correctly. Any such competitors permits the nationwide broadcaster to place itself, as that is world greatest apply,” it added.
For instance, when South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the South African Broadcasting Company (SABC) was given a 12 months’s advance discover and assets to arrange for the match.
GBC stated it had prayed for the same alternative nevertheless it didn’t materialize resulting from contract delays.
The GBC’s choice to simply accept the Ministry’s last-minute request was subsequently a nationwide curiosity consideration geared toward stopping potential worldwide embarrassment and reputational harm to the nation, given the pressing nature of the occasion and the circumstances surrounding the association. Failure to provide and broadcast the match would have uncovered Ghana and the state broadcaster to severe costs.
Topic: Use of GBC employees within the efficiency of PGS and QMP contracts with out commensurate income to GBC.
Administrator response:
Administration acknowledges the commentary. Nonetheless, the administration settlement with PGS was made in good religion and was primarily based on the group’s strategic pursuits relatively than a labor provide settlement. Administration recognized this partnership as a useful capability-building alternative for GBC given PGS’ confirmed monitor report, worldwide publicity and entry to superior HD broadcast gear. Due to this fact, GBC employees have been despatched to PGS manufacturing websites primarily for structured sensible coaching and ability enchancment, with the purpose of strengthening their technical and operational capabilities. So this was an internship and coaching alternative for our employees.
Additionally it is vital to notice that when considerations have been raised by employees relating to this proposed deprivation of alternative and the preliminary boycott of the T&T allowance of GH$100 per day, PGS manufacturing operations proceeded easily with out interruption.
Administration additional revealed that GBC had no formal or casual preparations with High quality Media Productions (QMP) relating to staffing. Consequently, no employees have been formally appointed to QMP by GBC in reference to the contract.
Topic: Irregular coaching contract with Manufacturing Room (TPR)
Administrator response:
Administration wish to state that the coaching program was essential and strategically useful because it considerably broadened the skilled data and strengthened the technical and operational capabilities of the members. Suggestions from trainees clearly signifies that the coaching was impactful and vital to their skilled growth.
The primary contract signed between GBC and The Manufacturing Room (TPR) initially supplied for the availability of six laptops. Administration then had additional discussions with TPR and requested a rise within the variety of laptops contemplating the corporate’s operational wants. TPR accepted this request and voluntarily supplied two extra laptops, for a complete of eight laptops.
To formalize the adjustment, administration requested that TPR doc modifications to the preliminary contract to replicate the eight laptops. In response, TPR formally submitted a proposal confirming and influencing the unique variations.
settlement.
Topic: Lack of income resulting from poor broadcast administration and advertising
Administrator response:
The audit findings’ assertion that the Ministry of Youth and Sports activities (MOYS) and the Native Organizing Committee (LOC) envisaged producing US$5 million from the sale of broadcast rights for the thirteenth African Video games was by no means formally communicated to the GBC, whether or not verbally, in writing or by official directions.
Administration wish to state that the settlement entered into between GBC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports activities (MoYS) is express, clear and unambiguous. Below the phrases of the settlement, GBC was not appointed as advertising company for the match.
Concerning the opening ceremony specifically, broadcast rights have been granted freed from cost to all home and worldwide viewers, however no broadcast rights have been granted for subsequent occasions or the continuation of the Video games to the worldwide neighborhood. This complies with worldwide greatest apply for worldwide competitions of this measurement. Instance; FIFA World Cup and many others.
Additionally it is vital to notice that LOC bought the broadcasting rights to CEEK, indicating that the commercialization actions of the rights have been carried out straight by LOC.
Concerning the granting of free-to-air rights to SuperSport (DSTV), GBC acted on the direct directions of the LOC Chairman (Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare) who particularly directed that the rights be granted freed from cost. Due to this fact, GBC’s actions have been primarily based on official authorization and never on the discretion of unbiased administration.
Though GBC was not formally required to market or promote broadcast rights, it ready and issued a structured proposal for the sale of broadcast rights to the AUB fraternity of nationwide broadcasters, of which GBC is a member. On account of these efforts, many international locations responded to the proposal and two international locations formally signed and concluded the settlement.
Worldwide greatest apply in advertising any such broadcast rights requires express appointment of a advertising company with clear targets and advantages to the advertising company. Alternatively, a rights advertising committee is established to promote the rights. GBC was not appointed because the advertising agent or advertising committee for the XIII African Video games.
Topic: Management failure in managing GBC position throughout the thirteenth African Video games – Accra 2023
Administrator response:
The Administration wish to point out that the difficulty relating to the position of the GBC within the thirteenth African Video games might be extensively mentioned on the Administration Assembly and that this subject might be positioned on the agenda on the forty fourth Assembly Day. The Government Board is duly constituted and structured to make sure broad institutional illustration and consists of all departmental administrators, administrators, deputy administrators, and the secretary/recorder. This construction signifies that choices and discussions have been inclusive, clear, and consultant throughout all elements of the corporate. No division was excluded from the illustration of every division on the administration assembly held each Tuesday. The minutes of those conferences have been formally made obtainable to the audit workforce upon request.
As well as, all divisional administrators should disseminate related data from the administration board to employees inside their respective divisions to make sure efficient inside communication and organizational consciousness. That is GBC’s normal apply for efficient organizational communication.
No particular welfare scheme agreements had been signed with the unions for the thirteenth African Video games. It’s because administration has been primarily based on the provisions of the collective bargaining settlement relating to all welfare points. Accordingly, administration complies with the collective bargaining settlement and has not taken any motion that’s opposite to the collective bargaining settlement.
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