The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, has stated that Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa's claims that they intend to spend GHS602,000 (US$48 million) over the course of 18 days during the competition are 'erroneous'.

In a lettered response to the Hon. Member of Parliament for North Tongu, LOC Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare said the MP's claims are a 'misrepresentation of the facts' and 'an erroneous and disingenuous ploy to divert the attention of Ghanaians from the excellent work done by the Government of Ghana and the LOC to organise and host the 13th African Games'.

On Monday, the lawmaker published letters from the LOC Chairman, detailing the committee's intended spend.

The letter was addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), seeking sponsorship to support the LOC's activities.

The figure is 6 times Parliament's approved GHS100 million for the same purpose.

The LOC had hoped to raise the monies through corporate sponsorships, according to the MP.

In that regard, President Akufo-Addo, held meetings with CEOs of both State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and private businesses, to solicit for funds to support the project.

This move is being criticized for its profligacy, and for targeting already struggling public and private companies.

But the LOC has mounted a strong defense of the budget, saying in the statement that 'the $48m quoted in the letter leaked by Hon, Ablakwa as the operational budget for the hosting and organisation of the Games goes into recurrent expenditure' and not necessarily meant for just the 18 day span of the competition.

In that regard, the LOC noted that 'hosting 54 African countries comes with huge cost implications in the areas of Medical and Anti-doping, Transport, Accommodation, Catering, Branding, Games Management System, Team Ghana preparation, Broadcasting and Equipment for 29 sporting disciplines among others

Ghana won the rights in 2018 to host the multi-sport event, which was expected to take place in August 2023. But delay in completing facilities earmarked for the 29-sport event led to a postponement to 2024.

The country invested heavily in infrastructure for this purpose. They constructed the brand new Borteyman Sports Complex, completed the University of Ghana Stadium, and renovated accommodation facilities on campus to serve as the Games' Village.

US$195 million has been invested of facilities to host the games, according to Ofosu Asare.

The games will take place from March 8-23, 2024. An estimated 8,000 athletes, technical officials and medical personnel are expected to be in Ghana during that period.

The LOC intends to procure 332 vehicles to serve transportation needs for the Games.