Accusations of mismanagement and incompetence have rocked Ghana’s participation in the ongoing African Games, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) condemning the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government for what they deem a series of embarrassing failures.
The latest blow came with South Africa’s decision to withdraw its men’s and women’s hockey teams from the competition, citing the substandard conditions of Ghana’s Hockey Pitch. This follows a string of humiliating incidents, including the withdrawal of Ghana’s Cycling Champion, Michael Naaba, after his bicycle broke down mid-competition, and the mysterious withdrawal of the Swimming Team from the 4×100 relay final.
Critics have pointed fingers at the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, accusing them of misappropriating funds. Despite a reported expenditure of USD$195 million on pre-games preparations and an additional USD$48 million allocated to the Local Organising Committee, Ghana has faced widespread criticism for poor preparation and lack of equipment.
In response, the NDC has demanded immediate action, calling for the resignation or dismissal of the Minister of Youth and Sports for his alleged incompetence. They have also called for the dissolution of the Local Organising Committee and have demanded a forensic audit into the budget and expenditure for the games.
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18th March, 2024The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has just sighted media publications about South Africa's decision to withdraw its men's and women's hockey teams from the ongoing African Games due to the substandard nature of Ghana’s… pic.twitter.com/u6udoLawdl
— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi_) March 18, 2024
The NDC has vowed to revisit this scandal if they come into power, asserting their commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in government affairs. Meanwhile, they join the people of Ghana in demanding answers for the nation’s humiliation on the international stage.
As tensions rise, calls for a televised parliamentary probe into the expenditure and organization of the games have intensified, setting the stage for a potentially contentious political showdown in the days to come.
By: Bernice Adjei Kodie