Committee submits stadium probe report

Accra (Greater Accra), 5th July -

Vice President John Atta Mills Friday received the report of the committee that probed rehabilitation works at the Accra and Kumasi stadiums.

The three-man committee under Lt-Col. Emmanuel Tagoe recommended, among others, that the accounts of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) be audited as soon as possible.

The committee was constituted in February this year by the Vice-President, following public outcry against the mode and award of the contract for the project, as well as its execution towards the hosting of the 11th African Under 20 soccer Championship (Ghana '99).

Other members were Mr. Geoffrey Awah and Mr. Francis Assuah.

Regarding conflict of interest, which had been the a cause for general discontent among the public, the committee did not find any of the officials guilty, but recommended that disclosure of interest, which hitherto covered professional sports associations should also cover Amateur Sports Associations.

This, in its opinion, will prevent the likelihood of conflict of interest.

It called for the rejection of the Kumasi stadium scoreboard in favour of one "befitting the international status" of the stadium, one of the two venues for the hosting of African Nations' Cup (CAN) 2000 tournament.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the consultants for the project are to ensure that the Kumasi stadium public address system is installed.

The Committee also recommended that an Outside Broadcast (OB) van be purchased as a matter of urgency for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to install the microwave unit to ensure live TV telecast of future international sporting assignments at the Kumasi stadium.

It called on the government to provide adequate budgetary allocations on a yearly basis towards the phased development and maintenance of the country's stadiums.

In addition to the proposed Olympics Sports Stadium, all other stadiums must be brought up to international standard to facilitate the holding of international competitions at regular intervals.

The Committee was of the view that preparations for international competitions must of necessity begin early.

It therefore recommended that local organising committees for future competitions must be appointed by the GFA management board and must be put in place "long before any major international sporting activity."

Lt-Col Tagoe presented three copies each of the report and the records of proceedings to Professor Mills.

Professor Mills directed the Castle Public Affairs Directorate to make more copies for the independent press and all other interested persons.

"I want to leave the people of Ghana to read everything and give their own judgement."

He recalled complaints by members of the public against the execution of the project, saying government responded to the people's call to unearth the truth by setting up the committee.

The Committee, he said, was a fact-finding one and gave the assurance that government will study and act on the report without fear or favour.

He thanked the members of the Committee for accepting to undertake the task. Lt-Col Tagoe said his team worked "tirelessly" to examine all the issues as specified in its terms of reference to determine irregularities, mode of purchases and payments.

The issue of whether there was any conflict of interest was critically examined, he said.

He added that they enquired into the activities of the various departments and ministries whose functions related to the rehabilitation work at the two stadiums, as well as other matters considered relevant.

The report listed 25 individuals and organisations as having testified before the Committee.

GRi