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The Project Co-ordinator of Ghana's 2014 World Cup campaign
Secretariat, Fred Darko, yesterday admitted to the Presidential
Commission that the subcommittees collectively failed in their
operations.
He made the acknowledgement while testifying on his second appearance
after it emerged that even the three tour operators contracted to fly
supporters to Brazil were not tied to any legal contract.
"There was no formal contract with the travel and tour operators," he
said in response to a question by the chairman of the commission,
Justice Senyo Dzamefe.
Wednesday's sitting started an hour late to enable technicians to
connect power from the stadium generator in order to forestall the
situation which resulted in power failure disrupting proceedings the
previous day.
Presidential ball
Mr Darko, who is also the chief executive Officer of Evolution
International, while answering questions on the Presidential Ball,
disclosed that a little over GH¢500,000 was realised from that event
as part of their fundraising drive, but noted that it cost them
GH¢37,665,441 to organise it.
"Why such a huge expenditure on Presidential Ball," enquired Justice
Dzamefe. In response, the project co-ordinator explained that the
organisers engaged the services of Labadi Beach Hotel for catering
services, as well as the provision of drinks and other services
because it was a high-profile event which had the President and his
vice in attendance.
He also said providing costumes to the players and the technical team
also contributed to the huge bill.
Promotion flop
Mr Darko explained that a point the organising committee had to
withdraw radio commercials for the 'Fanatic Promotion' because
expected revenues were not forthcoming, complaining also about how MTN
had dwarfed their campaign despite an earlier agreement that none of
the country's telecommunications companies should run any such
promotion.
Following that disclosure, Justice Dzamefe asked if they had signed
any documents to that effect, to which the witness responded in the
affirmative.
But he added that the campaign generated a total of GH¢224,902.00 out
of which the Ministry of Youth and Sports expected to receive
GH¢136,740.00.
Akosombo retreat
He also said as part of their preparations the organising committee
spent two nights at Akosombo "to brainstorm and to realign with their
plans" where they also held discussions with the travel and tour
operators and officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The witness said it was during those deliberations that the travel and
tour operators decided to form a consortium to lift supporters to
Brazil.
Again, based on the meeting, the organising committee developed a
manifest for each of the travel and tour operators with Kenpong Travel
and Tours, and Africa Travel and Sports Tourism expected to fly 270
fans each, while Travel Matters was given 160 fans.
Non-payment of travel and tour operators
It emerged that because the organisers did not pay the travel and tour
operators, Travel Matters, which chartered the aircraft to Brazil,
decided to put 70 of its passengers on the plane. This development, Mr
Darko said, was the genesis of the confusion at the Kotoka
International Airport.
But the chairman intervened saying that since Travel Matters were not
pinned by any contract they were not obliged to carry the supporters.
"In fact, they did you a favour by lifting your supporters to Brazil,"
Justice Dzamefe added.
Mission at Brazil
The witness said he left with the first batch of supporters to Brazil
because he had to redeem match tickets at the FIFA tickets centre for
the supporters.
Mr Darko said it was in Brazil that he heard about reports from Ghana
suggesting were that supporters starving while others were sleeping on
the floor.
"I then visited the camp to ascertain what was happening in camp," he
said, and noted that to his surprise what pertained on the ground was
contrary to the negative picture painted by the media reports.
Carryng of cash to Brazil
The project co-ordinator said he signed for and carried some cash to
Brazil, but when asked how much he took, he responded, "My Lord, it
was a little over $100,000 but I cannot readily recall the exact
figure unless I check with the ministry."
But when he was alerted that he risked committing purjury his counsel,
Alex Abban, intervened pleading with the chairman to adjourn the
sitting to enable his client to go and refresh his memory.
Hearing continues today, with Mr Darko continuing with his testimony.
uniBank, officials of the Black Stars, and the tour operators are also
expected to testify today.
