Brazil 2014: Ghana Forked Out $20,000 To An Angolan Agent

Ghana forked out nearly $20,000 to an Angolan agent in Brazil for using his account to transfer funds to Brazilian service providers, while supporters stayed for the World Cup festivities in the South American country.

Lawrence Acheampong, 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 as he confirmed these revelations.

The I.T consultant was taking his turn at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Monday. The Commission is investigating Ghana’s shambolic participation in Brazil last June.

Despite travelling to Brazil three times to study the place and prepare the grounds for the fans and officials, Lawrence Acheampong said the committee still needed the Angolan agent to show the delegation where to buy foodstuff for the caterers.

In a particular instance, about $4,000 was paid to the agent for providing directions to the Supermarket called Redemais.

He confirmed to the presidential commission of Inquiry that the agent was paid nearly $4,000 as commission for each of the five transactions he made on behalf of Ghana.

Despite having a Ghana embassy in Brazil, the operations team, he said, contracted the agent to facilitate the payment of purchases from the Supermarket.

Ghana could not immediately get the services of any bank in Brazil to help with the transfer of funds to service providers, he maintained.

“Thinking on his feet” as problems mounted, the Angolan agent was the best choice under the circumstances.

Lawrence who described himself as a “utility player” said he deputized for Elvis Afriyie Ankrah at sub-committee meetings.

The Commission had a hard time getting facts from Mr. Acheampong who was highly evasive during the hearing at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Larry Acheampong needed the Justice Dzamefe Commission to remind him of his oath and the importance of providing the facts of the matters under investigation. The witness referred the Commission to Voordinator of the World Cup Committee, Fred Darko for several answers.

Fred Darko who had earlier provided his testimony weeks ago, had mentioned Larry as one of the officials who supervised the payment of monies to service providers in Brazil.