NTB says Ghanaian payment resolves long-standing dispute

The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) says its payment of N$160 000 to Ghanaian company Hype.Up was made following an internal administrative and legal review to resolve matters inherited from the previous administration.

In a statement sent to The Namibian, the board’s spokesperson Flora Quest says the payment aimed to mitigate legal exposure.

“The payment, effected in November 2025 was formed part of its mandate to resolve outstanding legacy matters, mitigate further legal exposure, and bring closure to disputed contractual claims.

“The decision to settle the specific invoice was informed by legal advice, cost-benefit considerations, and the need to safeguard public resources by avoiding protracted disputes that could result in greater financial and reputational risk to the institution,” she says.

The payment settles a long-running dispute over the NTB Ghana Roadshow, a project promoting Namibia to Ghanaian and West African travellers and facilitating bilateral trade, including the first shipment of Namibian meat to Ghana.

Hype.Up filed a formal complaint with the Ghana Police Service in December 2025, alleging fraud involving about N$957 909 in unpaid contracts.

The NTB initially refused to settle, citing concerns that the agreement was entered into with corrupt intent. A forensic audit by PwC costing N$173 000 later found no irregularities.

Hype.Up chief executive Ike Dsane confirmed receipt of the payment in a 5 January letter.

“We hereby acknowledge receipt of the recent payment and appreciate the steps taken to resolve the outstanding balance in respect of the invoice dated 5 September 2023,” he said.

Quest notes that the board remains committed to transparency and accountability.

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