Brazil: Committee paid $198,310 for foodstuff without receipts

Ghana paid $198,310 for foodstuffs from a supermarket in Brazil without collecting receipts during the World Cup festivities last June, the Presidential World Cup Commission heard on Monday. Along with Fred Darko the World Cup committee coordinator, one Lawrence Acheampong said they personally bought the items but said he had no receipt to cover the payment of the monies. Lawrence, who did not have any official position in Brazil, told the Commission he was “the eyes, ears and voice” of the former Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and chaired committee meetings whenever Elvis Ankrah was unable to do so. The I.T consultant was taking his turn at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry yesterday. The two officials bought ingredients totaling $198,310 after five visits to the supermarket. The Justice Dzamefe Commission had last week asked a caterer, Mrs Gertrude Quarshigah, owner of Ambar Quality Foods to show receipts for the foodstuffs she received to prepare meals for over 600 supporters in Brazil. Mrs. Quarshigah had told the commission that although she received the foodstuffs purchased last June, she only got to know how much it cost when a document showing the cost was handed to her after they arrived in Ghana. She said when she asked the Brazilian supermarket, Redemais, for the receipt, she was told it would be emailed to Larry (Lawrence). This among other things prompted the Commission to invite the former minister’s “utility player”, Larry. Interestingly, when Lawrence appeared before the Commission he had no clue how much the food items he bought cost as he failed to give a breakdown of the cost of each item. Sharing some lessons learnt, he told the Commission that "if they [Black Stars] had focused when they went there, all this would not have happened". His suggestion drew laughter from the three-man Commission.

Source: Myjoy