What have I done to Ghanaians? –Sports Minister questions critics' about world cup expenditure

Minister of Youth and Sports, Akua Sena Dansua         The Minister of Youth and Sports, Akua Sena Dansua has expressed disgust at suspicions and allegations cast in her direction in relation to expenses said to have been incurred by the nation over the Black Stars' participation in the 2010 World Cup. She was in Parliament Thursday to answer a question on how much it cost the nation to engage in the World Cup. Responding to the issues on Asempa FM on Friday, the Minister explained that even though she traveled with her house-help and driver to South Africa for the World Cup, she paid for her daughter to go on the trip as it was an opportunity for all Ghanaians to go and support the Black Stars. She further denied using state funds to facilitate anyone’s private trip to the World Cup. “I took my secretary, I took my driver and I took my body guard. These are the people who are here with me day and night,” she added. She pointed out that the World Cup expenditure budget document was prepared by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and that officials of the association should be contacted to clarify issues for the public. Ms Dansua explained that the budget is always prepared by the GFA to be approved by the Chief of Staff after the ministry has perused it thoroughly. She added that the Chief of Staff specifically invited officials of the GFA to justify whatever information was contained in the budget before it was forwarded to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department. She further stressed that an accountant of the ministry accompanies officials of the GFA to the tournaments and verifies all purchases made with receipts to show what has been spent. Ms Dansua decried the situation where journalists and commentators make allegations without seeking her side of the issue and asked the media to stop blaming her for the expenditure made at the World Cup and rather direct their concerns at the appropriate quarters. The minister believes that there are people who are sabotaging her position as Minister of Sports and are working assiduously to ensure that she fails at her work. She however vowed to continue working and assured her detractors that they will not succeed in their effort to undermine her. She promised Ghanaians that she will continue to work effectively despite the numerous distractions. Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana