The parliamentary probe into expenditure surrounding Ghana’s hosting of the 2023 African Games has taken another turn after the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adas, disclosed that some Local Organising Committee (LOC) portfolio heads expected to appear before the committee are currently outside the country.

The revelation came during a sitting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at which the committee questioned ex-LOC Executive Chairman Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare over expenditure contained in the Games’ financial report.

The committee had indicated that the portfolio heads would be expected to appear and provide answers on areas under their respective responsibilities.

However, Kofi Adams raised concerns over their availability when discussing arrangements for the next sitting.

“In terms of appearance before the committee tomorrow on the heads, is it still going to be tomorrow so that we know what level of assistance we can provide in terms of getting them?” he asked.

After the committee confirmed that the meeting would take place, Adams pointed to information provided by the LOC chairman.

“The executive chair is indicating that some of these heads are outside the country. So, if that’s the case, I don’t know how it’ll be possible for them to come tomorrow,” he said.

The development is significant because Ofosu-Asare had earlier told the committee that questions concerning specific expenditure should be directed to the portfolio heads responsible for those areas.

During questioning over page 70 of the LOC report, for instance, he declined to explain three media-related expenditure items: GH¢200,000 for media engagement programmes, GH¢207,000 for media activities and GH¢700,000 for media resources.

Ofosu-Asare said the head of the media and protocol committee should answer the question because the portfolio head was responsible for the expenditure.

The committee, however, challenged that position, arguing that the portfolio heads reported to him and that the report containing the expenditure had been presented under his oversight.

The parliamentary scrutiny comes amid wider concerns over the financial management of the 2023 African Games.

A forensic audit by the Auditor-General identified GH¢580.04 million in financial irregularities in connection with the Games and recommended recovery actions and sanctions involving former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, former Chief Director William Kartey and Ofosu-Asare.

The audit examined expenditure across several areas, including procurement, accommodation, transportation, infrastructure, broadcasting and other operational activities.

FKA/AM