GBC Director General Prof. Amin Alhassan disputes Sports Ministers’ $3 million payment claim for African Games coverage

Amin Alhassan, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), has refuted claims made by the Sports Minister regarding the payment for GBC’s coverage of the 2023 African Games.

Prof. Alhassan stated that GBC received only $105,000 for the coverage of the Games, which were held from February to March 2024. He clarified that the amount covered costs related to suspending some of the broadcaster’s regular programming during the event.

“I want to clarify that GBC’s total compensation for the African Games was $105,000. No additional payment was made to GBC,” Prof. Alhassan said during an interview on Uniq FM. He added that GBC was only engaged about a month before the Games.

This statement contradicts the claim made by Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, who, during a Public Accounts Committee session on August 19, 2024, announced that the government had paid GBC over $3 million for its role as the official broadcaster.

“Yes, GBC was the official broadcaster for the 13th All African Games, and I can confirm that full payment has been made to them. Although I can’t recall the exact amount, it exceeds $3 million,” Ussif stated.

The Minister’s claim has sparked controversy, with many Ghanaians expressing their concerns on social media about the substantial figure mentioned.