‘The sports ministry handles Black Stars expenditure, not GFA’

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has stepped forward to address recent discussions about the financial management of the Black Stars, emphasizing that responsibility for the team’s budgeting and spending lies solely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

This clarification follows remarks made by former President John Dramani Mahama during his public address, where he questioned accountability after Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In his speech, Mahama stressed the need for transparency in how funds allocated to the national team are utilized. While acknowledging the president’s concerns, the GFA thanked him for his “passion for Ghanaian football” and highlighted the Black Stars’ current position as joint leaders in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.

The association also reaffirmed its focus on enhancing the team’s structure and performance through improved management and technical planning.

“We also endorse His Excellency’s call for transparency in relation to the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars and, by extension, all national teams,” the GFA stated.

However, the association clarified that while it submits an initial draft budget for national teams to the Sports Ministry, all financial decisions and disbursements remain under the government’s control.

“Indeed, as part of our commitment to transparency, the GFA has always provided the Ministry responsible for Sports with the first draft budget for the national teams. Beyond this, everything to do with the budgeting and expenditure related to the Black Stars sits with the Ministry. For emphasis, payments made in relation to the Black Stars are exclusively handled by the Ministry,” the statement explained.

The GFA pledged to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure accountability and expressed confidence in their joint efforts to meet the expectations of Ghanaians for the national team’s success.

By: Novire Kuuyizie Francis