Ghana's Auditor-General has ordered former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, and two other officials to refund GHS 15,093,666. This directive follows findings in a forensic audit report on the Accra 2023 African Games. The report identified 'unrelated and irregular payments' from accounts established for the Games.
The Auditor-General's report revealed these payments came from accounts specifically created for organising and hosting the African Games. They included US$487,000 and GHS 9,249,666, used for expenditures linked to the Black Stars football team. This diversion of funds affects public finance and raises questions about financial management in large national events.
This situation fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to improve financial accountability in public spending. Audit reports frequently highlight irregularities, which can undermine public trust and impact the national budget. Prior audits have also scrutinised expenditures in various government agencies, pushing for better oversight.
The Auditor-General's report specified that these payments constituted a breach of appropriation controls. The report also stated they represented a diversion of resources from their intended purpose. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) accounts were for the Games, but transfers were made to Ghana Black Stars personnel. These included coaches Otto Addo and Chris Houghton's company, and assistant coaches Joseph Laumann, Abdul Fatawu Dauda, and John Paintsil.
Specific payments flagged include US$240,000 transferred to Otto Addo as a one-year advance salary on May 7, 2024. On the same day, Houghton Enterprise Limited in London received US$75,000 as a three-month salary advance. Further payments to Otto Addo included US$60,000 for salaries covering March to May 2024. Joseph Laumann received US$30,000 for his March to May 2024 salary. These transactions occurred outside the LOC’s mandate.
The audit also identified a substantial cash withdrawal of GHS 8,938,950 on December 22, 2024. This withdrawal was in favour of Issah Mahama Amadu for Black Stars-related expenditure. An additional outward transfer of GHS 310,716 was made to Otto Addo for his August 2024 salary payment. These funds were clearly outside the scope of the African Games.
Mustapha Ussif, William Kartey, former Chief Director, and Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, former Chairman of the LOC, are responsible for the refund. The Auditor-General held them accountable for managing and overseeing the Games’ financial operations. The forensic audit report, released on February 26, 2026, details these discrepancies.
This development will intensify public debate on accountability and the management of state resources. Markets and decision-makers will closely watch how these recovery efforts progress. This outcome could influence future financial controls for major national events.
Earlier findings from the audit revealed Ghana spent over GHS 2.24 billion on the African Games. The country still had liabilities exceeding GHS 208 million. While the Auditor-General found no criminal actions, administrative sanctions and recovery measures are recommended. This underscores the need for robust financial governance to protect public funds.