[ 2015-02-12 ]

Ayariga attacks journalists over Afcon budget: “You ask useless question
Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga has launched a
scathing attack on Ghanaian Journalists saying
they are asking “useless questions” regarding
the budget used by the Government and the Sports
Ministry in taking part in the 2015 Africa Cup of
Nations that just ended in Equatorial Guinea.

“It is very unfortunate that you choose that
this is what you will discuss. I thought that at
this stage, those who are interested in sports in
Ghana would now be asking me questions about how
to sustain excellence in sports in Ghana, how are
you going to get infrastructure for the
development of sports in Ghana, how are you going
to manage these players so that the next
tournament they will be able to perform
exceedingly well and take the cup, how are you
going to make sure that all other national teams
do so well? Sadly you are asking me about…the
money that was spent on food,” Mr Ayariga said
angrily in an interview with Captain Smart on Adom
FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show.


“You are using valuable time to discuss useless
matters, please, I think that this is very very
regrettable and it will dampen the spirit of the
boys who were trying to kill themselves only to
come back and even the food that they ate, they
will hear on radio that their minister is
[answering questions] about the food that they
ate. It’s sad it’s sad it’s sad,” he
blurted.

He said: “If I decide to grant you an interview
as a minister, I expect you to ask me useful
questions…you want to take over the job of the
Auditor? Are you the Auditor?”

Mr Ayariga Wednesday told Parliament that Ghana
spent close to $6million on the tournament.

He said Government spent $4.774, 519.19 million
dollars and Ghc3.242,580 million Ghana cedis which
add up to $5.8 million.

The former Information Minister made this known on
the floor of Parliament Wednesday, after he was
authorised by the Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho to
present a statement on the participation of the
senior national football team in the tournament.

Ayariga explained that part of the amount went
into the team’s camping in Spain as well as
bonus payments.

The Sports Minister told the House that the
government spent $932,740 and 3,243,580 Ghana
cedis on the pre-tournament camping for the Black
Stars.

For the three-week tournament 608,640 dollars was
used for boarding, lodging and others for players
and officials.

Ayariga also explained that 3.224, 139.20 dollars
was spent on bonuses and honoraria for players,
technical team and officials of the national
team.

After presenting the breakdown to Parliament,
numerous radio stations have been calling the
Minister to seek clarifications on the figures but
Mr Ayariga has met such calls with abrasion and
aggression.

Source - Starrfmonline

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