Budget Cuts: Ghana's Black Stars to Face Chad and Mali with $1.3 Million ,$700,000 Saved
Accra ,September 3,2025 - Ghana's Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has slashed $700,000 from the Black Stars' budget for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali. This decision comes after the Minister reviewed the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) initial budget of $2 million, reducing it to $1.3 million.
“Black Stars Management Committee members were on $10,000 as a winning bonus, while players were on $5,000,”Mr.Adams revealed in an engagement with journalists.
“Previous administrations were paying winning bonuses to management committee members of the national teams. The Sports Ministry has decided not to pay winning bonuses to the management team members of the national teams ,”he mentioned.
Kofi Adams explained that the decision aims to optimize resources and ensure prudent financial management adding that the ministry's intervention is part of a broader effort to streamline expenses and prioritize essential expenditures.
The Ghana Football Association has responded cautiously, urging Ghanaians to focus on the upcoming matches before commenting further on the budget cuts. The GFA promised to provide clarifications after the Mali game.
“We deem it prudent at this time to maintain our collective focus on the immediate national task at hand,” the GFA said in a statement.
The Black Stars, led by coach Otto Addo, will face Chad in N'Djamena on September 4, followed by a match against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8. Ghana currently tops Group I with 15 points, three points ahead of Comoros.
Key Changes to the Budget
- Reduction in Management Team Bonuses: The Minister has scrapped the $10,000 winning bonuses for Black Stars Management Committee members, citing these expenses as "unjustifiable." In contrast, players were receiving $5,000 as winning bonuses.
- New Per Diem Rates: Players will now receive a $150 per diem, while technical team members will earn $200. These allowances will be paid in dollars for away games and local currency for home matches.
- Flight Ticket Costs: The Minister has also taken steps to reduce flight ticket costs, opting for alternative means to purchase tickets, which has led to significant savings.
Source – Lead News Online/Jeff Ago
