MINISTER HOT OVER WORLD CUP CHOP CHOP

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The Justice Senyo Dzemefe Commission has recommended that E-volution International introduced to the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) by Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, former Minister of Youth and Sports where GH¢1 million was parted to the private company, should be investigated.

This and other damning revelations were contained in the Dzamefe commission report submitted to President John Mahama for action.

However the government white paper released after the report had virtually whitewashed Afriyie-Ankrah of any complicity in scandal laden Ghana’s participation in the Brazil World Cup tournament.

The Commission noted that people close to the former minister of Sports, Afriyie-Ankrah including his brother Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah were paid money for no role in Black Stars or the Ministry’s set up.

The report indicated that an audit of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, stated that various sums of money were given out to several people captured as “support staff” but these people were not issued with contracts that underlined their roles.

According to the report a total of $129, 473 was paid without documentation or contracts.

The beneficiaries were an extra doctor and physiotherapist who were paid $12,632.00 each totaling $25,264.

Five persons made up two National Security Officers, two caterers and a drummer taking $5,263 each totaling $ 26, 315 and four scouts and a therapist taking $10,526.00 each totaling $52, 630.

Two backroom staff also took $12, 632 each totaling $25, 264.

The audit also stated that some officials accompanied Afriyie Ankrah to see Ghana’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Sudan in Khartoum and Egypt in Cairo were paid per diems even though they had no roles.

A total of $11,300 was paid in per diems to 19 people who were on the trips to Sudan and Egypt.

Notable among them was the Minister’s brother, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah who was paid $1,400 for the trip to Khartoum and $ 400 for the trip to Cairo to cover a 4-day stay in Cairo.

David Adegoke was paid $1,400 for the trip to Khartoum.

Seventeen other people were paid $400 each for the trip to Cairo.

According to the World Cup Commission, E-volution bossed by Fred Darko who has close ties with the embattled minister, was paid a whopping GH¢1million to set up mega fan parks in Accra and viewing centres in Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale for the 2014 football fiesta in Brazil but that did not happen in the northern regional capital.

The three-member commission said the E-volution boss Fred Darko undertook the production and management of the fan parks as a private business instead of undertaking it on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“The funds from GNPC was paid to E-volution based on the recommendation of the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah,” it said, adding “GNPC was under the impression that they were dealing with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.”

The commission said the funding from GNPC was supposed to be paid to the ministry directly and not to E-volution as was done.

“One fan park in Accra and viewing centres were successfully executed   in Kumasi and Takoradi and added that “Even though the fan parks were supposed to have been undertaken under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, they were in fact undertaken by E-volution as a private business.”

The report said there was conflict of interest with regards to the conduct and performance of Fred Darko as a project coordinator and owner of E-volution and added that his evidence that sponsors were not prepared to deal with the ministry was untenable since it was the ministry that introduced E-volution to GNPC.

“The activities of the fan parks as produced and managed by E-volution International should be further investigated and any net income accruing from the execution of the fan parks should be paid to the state with interest at the prevailing banking rate.”

“Any misappropriation/misapplication of the fund given by GNPC to E-volution International on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports should be refunded by E-volution International to the former Minister.”

The commission said the issue as to why the business of the fan parks became a private job of E-volution should be investigated further by the Attorney General and those found culpable should face the full rigours under the law.

It is interesting to note that the government’s white paper on the 2014 World Cup Committee appeared to shield leading NDC party officials who were deeply involved in the organization of the Black Stars trip to Brazil.

The report on the other hand seemed to shepherd Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwasi Nyantakyi to the gallows.

It appeared silent on most of the roles played by Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, then Minister of Youth and Sport, and Minister of State at the Presidency whose evidence before the three-member Commission generated public uproar.

Interestingly, almost all the recommendations of Dzemefe Commission that directly indicted Afriyie Ankrah who was President Mahama’s campaign manager during the controversial 2012 election was vetoed by the President in the white paper.

The audit recommended that there should be “steps to retrieve the wrongful payment made to the officers as a result of the absence of a contract or memorandum of understanding between the Ministry and the individuals concerned.”