Chief Stylz, the manager of Dancehall artist Stonebwoy, has disputed the National Sports Authority’s (NSA) assertion that his team paid GH¢70,000 to rent the Accra Sports Stadium for the 5th Dimension concert on December 22, 2023.
During a hearing on Monday, February 5, 2024, the Director General of the NSA, Peter Twumasi, stated that Stonebwoy had paid GH¢70,000 for the stadium as part of the NSA’s revenue generation strategy. Twumasi also mentioned that the NSA had informed all stakeholders that the stadium would be used for non-sporting events in December 2023, with sporting activities being relocated to other venues.
However, Chief Stylz has claimed that the actual amount paid was higher than GH¢70,000, although he did not disclose the exact figure. He revealed this information during an interview on Accra-based Hitz FM’s U Say Wetin show on February 6. Chief Stylz, who was responsible for negotiating and making the payment on behalf of Stonebwoy, declined to provide further details as the matter is currently being reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. He emphasized that the quoted amount was not accurate according to the director’s statement.
“To be very honest with you, these are contractual matters and usually I wouldn’t want to engage in a public space but the Public Accounts Committee is very serious and it got before the committee so I wouldn’t want to be here on the radio to state otherwise.
“But what I can tell you is that I was delegated by Stonebwoy to lead the charge in terms of the negotiations and payment of the stadium. I can also tell you for a fact that yes, we paid more than GH₵70,000 for the stadium but I mean, I am just watching the issues unfold so I wouldn’t want to disclose them in detail for now. I hope you bear with me,” he said.
Asked if they paid more than GH¢100,000, Abiola replied in the affirmative but declined to give a specific amount.
This comes amid the ongoing inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, which has been ongoing for a week.
Peter Twumasi, who became the head of the NSA in 2018, has faced criticism for neglecting the maintenance and development of the stadiums in the country.
He has also been accused of renting out the Accra Sports Stadium for concerts at the expense of the Ghana Premier League clubs.
Credit: Ghanaweb.com
