GFA clarifies Black Stars finances, says budget decisions rest with Sports Ministry

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has clarified that it does not handle financial matters related to the Black Stars, emphasizing that all budgeting and expenditure decisions are managed by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

The clarification follows President John Dramani Mahama‘s recent State of the Nation Address, in which he expressed concerns about Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and called for greater transparency in the management of the Black Stars’ finances.

In response, the GFA acknowledged the president’s concerns and expressed appreciation for his passion for Ghanaian football. It also highlighted that the national team remains joint-top in its FIFA World Cup qualifying group and reaffirmed its commitment to improving the team’s management and technical structures.

“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 FA stated.

However, the association stressed that its role in financial matters is limited to submitting an initial draft budget to the Ministry, after which all financial decisions, including payments, are handled exclusively by the government.

“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 read.