Accra, Aug. 20, GNA – Professor Amin Alhassan, Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), has expressed shock following the Sports Minister’s claims that his outfit received $3 million for the coverage of the 13th African Games.
Mr. Mustapha Ussif, Minister for Youth and Sports, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, August 19, 2024, and stated unequivocally that $3 million had been fully paid to GBC for the coverage of the 13th African Games.
“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,” Mr. Ussif said at the PAC meeting.
Speaking in an interview, Prof. Amin Alhassan clarified that GBC had not received the said amount being stipulated by the Minister.
“I was shocked to learn that the Minister of Youth and Sports said they had paid GBC in excess of three million dollars, and I want to tell every Ghanaian and the public that GBC’s total benefit from the African Games was $105,000; nothing more was paid as a benefit to GBC.
“The payment was as support that we dedicated an entire channel and suspended programming for the GTV Sports Plus and we dedicated to African Games and our role as the official broadcaster, and it was not in excess of $3 million,” he said.
Prof. Amin Alhassan further clarified that GBC engaged in the coverage of the game by way of being the national broadcaster and not a business entity.
“We were invited to the table less than one month to the games and to help with the production. We made it very clear that there was not enough time for GBC to procure the necessary equipment because we needed a technical production team,” he said.
Prof. Amin Alhassan also stated that they had sent an official letter to PAC to clarify issues that were raised during the Sports Minister appearance.
GNA