Ester Mbathera
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) is facing allegations of fraud of over US$51 123.92 (N$957 909.91) in unpaid contracts with a Ghanaian digital marketing and tourism promotion firm.
NTB signed two different contracts with Hype.Up Limited in 2023 for the Ghanaian company to execute awareness campaigns to enhance Namibia’s tourism industry by attracting more visitors from Ghana and other African nations.
This was to be done through the ‘November in Namibia’ program, which is designed to establish a network of ambitious Africans who share a passion for intra-Africa tourism, travel and trade.
It encompasses a range of events, including safaris, film, cuisines, trade opportunities, and networking sessions through a comprehensive 7-day holiday package from Ghana to Namibia.
The first group of Ghanaians visited Namibia in 2023.
Hype.Up is accusing NTB of intentionally withholding payments for services rendered under 2023 contracts.
According to the Hype.Up’s lawyer Isaac Arko Inkum, the first contract was signed on 06 September 2023, to run from June 2023 to December 2024.
He said the outstanding amount owed to Hype.Up for this contract amounts to US$ 9964 (N$186 695.67).
NTB signed a second contract with Hype.Up on 27 October 2023, which was to run from 27 October 2023 to 29 February 2024.
Inkum said NTB owes his client US$ 41 159.92 (N$ 771 214.24) for the second contract.
This brings the total amount to US$ 51 123.92 USD ((N$957 909.91).
“My client has provided services under the contract, but NTB has shown gross disrespect by refusing to honour their obligations under the contract: paying the amounts due under the contracts,” said Inkum.
Hype.Up Limited has since lodged charges against NTB with the Ghana Police Service.
The company’s chief executive, Ike Dsane, in a police declaration seen by the Windhoek Observer, accused members of the NTB board of withholding payments for services rendered.
“Although some payments were initially made to his company, there are still some outstanding unpaid differences he contacted the authorities about the money and he was informed that the money had been given to the board headed by Bornventure Mbidzo, who was the acting CEO of the board, but they have spent some,” reads the Ghanaian police report.
Dsame’s further claims that all his efforts to get the money from Mbidzo, who frequents Ghana, prove futile.
Mbidzo, when asked about the allegations levelled against him, said he left the NTB when his contract ended in July 2024.
He did not respond about whether the NTB made the payment to Hype.Up.
The ‘November in Namibia’ initiative did not take place last year.
Namibia’s high commissioner to Ghana, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, on 1 November 2024, at the Park and Watch event in that country, said that the trip could not take place due to elections in Namibia.
“This year we scheduled to have an official launch in Windhoek, Namibia and dates were scheduled for 18-24 November 2024. However, due to our national elections taking place on 27 November, we deeply regret to inform you that the trip and the official launch have been postponed to next year (2025),” she said, Ashipala-Musavyi.
She added that Namibia attaches great importance to this initiative to enhance tourism activities for the benefit of both the Namibian and Ghanaian citizens.
“Just as we are encouraging you to visit Namibia, so too are we enticing Namibians to visit beautiful Ghana and I am pleased to inform you that our efforts are bearing fruit, as there is hardly a month without Namibians visiting Ghana for various reasons, including business. We are striving for a win-win relationship,” said.
Attempts to get comments from the NTB proved futile.
