The Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan, has refuted the Sports Minister’s assertion that the national broadcaster received $3 million for covering the 2023 African Games. Prof. Alhassan clarified that GBC only received $105,000 for its comprehensive coverage of the event, which took place from February to March this year.

Prof. Alhassan emphasized that the $105,000 payment was utilized to offset costs incurred by suspending regular programs during the Games. He stressed that no additional funds were paid to GBC beyond this amount. “I want to state that GBC’s total benefit from the African Games was $105,000. Nothing more was paid to GBC,” he stated on Uniq FM.

The Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, had previously disclosed that the government paid GBC $3 million for its coverage of the African Games. During his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee on August 19, 2024, Ussif confirmed that GBC was the official broadcaster and received full payment, exceeding $3 million.

The Sports Minister’s claim sparked widespread controversy, with many Ghanaians expressing dismay on social media over the substantial sum involved. Prof. Alhassan’s clarification has brought to light a significant discrepancy between the actual payment and the amount claimed by the Sports Minister.

Prof. Alhassan noted that GBC was invited to participate in the African Games barely a month before the event. Despite the short notice, GBC still managed to provide comprehensive coverage of the Games.