Former Minister for Youth and Sports and Member of Parliament (MP) for Yagaba/Kubori, Mustapha Ussif, has denied allegations contained in an Auditor-General’s report on the 13th African Games, Accra 2023.

The audit report reportedly recommends that he and other officials be held liable for the recovery of more than GH¢579 million linked to alleged financial irregularities connected to the organisation of the Games.

The report, commissioned in 2025, cited alleged issues including inflated costs, unsupported payments, undelivered items and breaches in contractual arrangements across areas such as catering, transport, accommodation, procurement and infrastructure development.

It also recommended the recovery of additional amounts exceeding $44 million and €629,070 from persons identified in relation to the Games.

The Auditor-General further recommended that the named officials be held jointly responsible for the recovery of the flagged amounts as part of ongoing accountability processes.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 26, Mr Ussif rejected suggestions that he was responsible for any wrongdoing.

“My attention has been drawn to the release of an audit report, which report is titled: Comprehensive Audit Report on the 13th African Games, Accra 2023. The said report, I understand attributes various irregularities to me. I however deny being responsible for any such irregularities, if any at all,” he stated.

He further indicated that he expects the report to be laid before Parliament, where affected persons would be given the opportunity to respond to the findings.

“It is my understanding that the report of the audit will be presented to Parliament and persons who may have answers to findings will be invited to respond accordingly. Therefore, I look forward to the opportunity to respond to all the claims of impropriety in the said report,” he added.

The Auditor-General’s report reportedly raised concerns across multiple aspects of the Games, including engineering and construction projects.

Among the projects referenced were the Borteyman Sports Complex, the University of Ghana Stadium and the Legon Sports Village, where alleged contract variations and inflated costs were flagged.