NDC Blows World Cup Cash

-- 2.26BN for Reception
--C629M for Refreshment

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has spent billions of cedis out of over $18.5 million, comprising Government allocation and private sector contributions towards Ghana's participation in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on refreshment, reception and other expenses.

Out of the total expenditure breakdown, $125,559.09 or equivalent of C2.26 billion was used for welcome reception (float, banner etc) with $34,965.03 or C629 million going for refreshment.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Clement Kofi Humado, gave the figures in Parliament yesterday while answering questions on the floor of the House.

However, the expenditure of the taxpayers' money set tongues wagging in Ghana's parliament as some lawmakers described the disbursement of the total amount as free money to people for 'chop' 'chop'.

The MPs, including Isaac Kwame Asiamah, the Minority spokesperson on Youth and Sports and Simon Ose-Mensah, MP for Bosomtwe, had asked the Minister for Youth and Sports to give a complete breakdown of how the world cup cash was disbursed.

Answering questions from the MPs, Mr. Humado informed the House the total receipt from government, private sponsorship and “text and win” promotion for the world cup tournament amounted to $18,515,256.83.

The sports minister indicated that the expenditure covered the Black Stars' camping and training tour in Europe as well as expenses on supporters and Ghana's participation in the tournament.

He said out of the total amount, $16,998,955.37 was spent, leaving a balance of $1,516,301.46 which was paid to government's chest.

Presenting all the expenditure breakdown the minister said $125,559.09 or equivalent of C2.26 billion was used for welcome reception (float, banner etc) with $34,965.03 or C629 million going for refreshment.

However, Dan Botwe, Member of Parliament, raised queries about some of the expenditure items questioning why US$125,559.09 of the tax payers' money was used for a welcome reception and also US$34,965.03 for refreshment.

“What kind of reception are we talking about, was the reception different from refreshment? Dan Botwe queried.

But Mr. Humado replied, “Mr. Speaker, I am satisfied these are genuine and true costs incurred by the ministry of the youth and sports”.

It was an opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs' affair on the issue as no member of the majority NDC raised a finger on the expenditure.

Giving further details on the expenditure, Mr. Humado was subjected to thorough scrutiny disclosed that $5,925,000 was used to pay appearance fee, $150,000 spent on protocol, $269,800 for per diem allowances, $610,000 went for the settlement of president's special package or reward to the players and officials.

Lamenting however, Isaac Asiamah who is also the MP for Atwima-Mponua took on the minister, questioning why the ministry of youth and sports should give different amounts as appearance fees for the same world cup tournament.

Quoting from official reports of Parliament, Mr. Asiamah pointed out that whilst answering a question on the floor of the House in November 2010, Akua Sena Dansua, a former Minister for Youth and Sports gave the appearance fee as $4.2 million.

The Minority spokesperson on youth and sports quizzed Mr. Humado “who is telling the truth, is it $4.2 million or $5.9 million”.

Responding, the minister insisted that his figures were correct, claiming that the answer provided in November 2010 by his predecessor, Akua Sena was based on Ghana's contingent but this current question had to do with Ghana's participation.

According to him, the scope of the income and expenditure had been broadened and that accounted for the difference, that the earlier one was a draft.

“What we have now is a detailed expenditure well calculated by the ministry”, Mr. Humado explained.

Other expenses given by the minister included accommodation and meals, $3,413,519.72; miscellaneous (medicals, laundry, visa fees, excess baggage, etc) $78,560.05; scouting and monitoring; $106,794.00; winning bonuses $2,541,500; air tickets, $2,722,571.73; transportation, $38,181.22 and match tickets $456,119.00.

The rest were travel insurance, $51,001; publicity (national launch, souvenirs, etc), $91,534.06; administrative expenses, $72,741.26; commission (event organization), $61,892.41; local camping, $6,944.06, website development, $1,900; and bank charges and charges on bank transfers $240,372.73.

SOURCE: FRONT PAGE Newspaper