The Minority Caucus in Parliament is demanding a comprehensive, line-by-line breakdown of how government funds allocated for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup were spent.
The demand follows a briefing by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, to Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee on the expenditure associated with Ghana’s World Cup campaign. Reports indicate that approximately GH¢58.9 million was released to meet financial obligations related to the tournament.
The Minority is also calling on the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other relevant institutions to provide details of funds received from FIFA for World Cup preparations and tournament-related activities.
Minority Wants Full Breakdown of World Cup Expenses
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, the Ranking Member of the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the Minority wants complete transparency in the management of public and private funds used for Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
The requested breakdown covers expenditure on:
- Flights and accommodation
- Internal transportation
- Training camps
- Catering and laundry
- Security
- Logistics
- Match tickets
- Other operational expenses
The Minority is also asking for details of contracts awarded for these services, the companies or individuals that provided them, the agreed rates and the final amounts paid.
Assafuah cited figures in a reported GFA draft budget, including allocations of US$15,000 for laundry and US$38,000 for internal transportation, and asked for clarification on the actual expenditure.
Black Stars Players’ Appearance Fees
According to figures presented following the Sports Minister’s briefing, Black Stars players received US$100,000 each as appearance fees, with the total reportedly amounting to about US$2.6 million.
Payments to the technical team and other officials, including honoraria and per diems, reportedly brought expenditure to US$4,670,339 out of a US$5 million advance.
The Minority says these figures should be accompanied by a complete account of all other operational expenses associated with Ghana’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
Minority Demands Account of World Cup Donations
The Minority has also requested a full reconciliation of financial contributions made by private individuals and corporate organisations to support the Black Stars.
Assafuah cited reported contributions involving individuals and companies, including:
- Ibrahim Mahama of Engineers and Planners – US$2 million
- Shatta Wale – US$100,000
- Stonebwoy – US$101,000
- Ghana Gas – GH¢5 million
- GCB Bank – GH¢5 million
- Ecobank Ghana – GH¢3 million
- Gold Fields Ghana – US$2 million
The Minority says it wants records showing the amount received from each contributor, payment dates, receiving accounts, the institution or individual responsible for the funds, how the money was spent and any remaining balance.
Recent reports put the total corporate and private fundraising figure under scrutiny at about GH¢115 million, although the exact accounting of these contributions remains a subject of the Minority’s demands.
Questions Over Ghana’s World Cup Supporters
The Minority is further demanding details of the government’s supporter mobilisation programme for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Assafuah said the government facilitated the travel of 431 supporters, with costs reportedly covering some air tickets, match tickets, accommodation, internal transportation and stipends.
He wants the Sports Ministry to publish the criteria used to select the beneficiaries and disclose the total expenditure associated with the supporter mobilisation exercise.
The Minority has also called for a reconciliation of the World Cup tickets purchased for Ghana, including information on tickets allocated, used, unused, transferred or allegedly resold.
Separately, the Sports Minister disclosed that 2,922 World Cup tickets were purchased at an estimated cost of US$1.26 million, according to reports.
Minority Raises Concerns Over NSA World Cup Visa Allegations
The Minority has also raised concerns over an alleged World Cup visa facilitation arrangement involving the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The caucus says the NSA Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, and some staff have appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning in relation to the allegations.
The Minority has called for Ampofo Ankrah to step aside while the investigation continues. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation, and the Minority has stated that it is not prejudging the outcome.
The NSA has denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection arrangement and has said it will cooperate with any lawful investigation.
Call for Greater Transparency in Ghana’s World Cup Spending
The Minority says its demands are intended to establish greater transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup funds.
The caucus is seeking a complete financial reconciliation covering government allocations, FIFA-related funds, corporate donations, private contributions, ticket purchases, supporter mobilisation and operational expenditure.
The detailed disclosures, according to the Minority, would allow the public to understand how funds committed to the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup campaign were received and spent.
Source: newsthemegh.com