We Need African Games Expenditure Breakdown- Saddick Adams
Sports journalist Saddick Adams has raised concerns about the ambiguity surrounding the expenditure of the country on the 13th African Games that was hosted earlier this year.
One of the many categories he looks forward to getting clarity is the cost for renovation of four hostels at the University of Ghana which was used to accommodate athletes.
The cost pegged at as US$16 million compared with that of four new ultramodern buildings by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) at a cost of US$14 million sound preposterous in his ears and thereby his call for a breakdown.
His concerns were expressed in a social media post on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
“In trying to personally get a better perspective on the University of Ghana Hostel renovations for instance, I compare to the UPSA Projects. UPSA is literally constructing an entirely new school campus. The project is a ten-floor multipurpose twin tower edifice and two new ten-storey hostel block facilities.
“A 10-Floor Twin Tower: with offices, lecture rooms, commercial centers and halls of residential areas and will replace the administrative complex on the old campus. The Two Student Hostels (10 storey each) will accommodate about 3,250. The projects ultra-modern nature has been described as ‘unprecedented in the history of the University’.”
According to him, only a breakdown will enable Ghanaians to appreciate the cost involved.
“I am not an expert in this but I want to ask, how is this technically possible? When I say only a breakdown will clear doubts, this is what I mean.”
The country’s budget for the African Games has been of major concern to taxpayers even as the Local Organising Committee and the Sports Ministry are yet to render comprehensive accounts after the event.
