A Ghanaian Member of Parliament has called for equal bonuses for the Black Queens following their impressive bronze-medal finish at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), reigniting the debate over gender pay equity in sports.
Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, MP for Manhyia South, speaking passionately on the floor of Parliament, said it was time Ghana put its laws into action by ensuring that the women’s national team received the same financial rewards as their male counterparts, the Black Stars.
“Mr. Speaker, we must ensure that our illustrious Black Queens receive equal pay, comparable to what the Black Stars earn,” the MP said. “It’s time we uphold the Affirmative Action Act, which was passed by this very House.”
The call follows Ghana’s spirited campaign in the tournament, where the Black Queens bounced back from a difficult group stage to beat Algeria in the quarterfinals and edge past defending champions South Africa in the third-place match.
Despite their achievements, the bonuses and allowances received by the Black Queens remain significantly lower than those given to the Black Stars, a disparity Hon. Baffour Awuah says can no longer be justified.
“The current situation where the Black Stars receive significantly more than the Black Queens is not only unjust but goes against the very principles of the Affirmative Action Act,” he asserted.
The MP further urged Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, who is also a fellow lawmaker, to take leadership on the issue and push for parity.
As support for the Black Queens continues to grow after their WAFCON performance, this renewed push for pay equity may put pressure on sports authorities to reassess bonus structures for national teams, raising hopes that equality on the field might soon translate into equality in pay.
