Ghana’s national women’s football team, the Black Queens, are still waiting to receive their $350,000 prize money after clinching bronze at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed.
The Queens, who made a triumphant return to the tournament after a six-year absence, secured third place with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over South Africa in Casablanca on July 25.
Despite the success and the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s announced increase in prize money for the women’s competition, the funds have yet to reach the team.
Speaking to 3Sports, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum revealed that the money remains unpaid, a week after the tournament concluded.
“The money has not been paid yet. I don’t know the plan of the Executive Council,” Twum said. “But you know that in competitions of this nature, whenever there are inflows, the government comes in.”
He explained that proper channels and consultations with the Ministry of Youth and Sports are typically needed before funds can be disbursed.
“There ought to be an engagement. So we will engage the ministry. If they call for budget expenditure or whatever, we will show it to them,” he added.
Twum also pointed out that the GFA had fully covered the team’s preparation for the tournament, including international friendlies in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, as well as a 10-day pre-tournament training camp in Morocco.
The delayed payment comes at a time when discussions about fair treatment and resourcing for women’s football teams across Africa continue to gain prominence.
This year’s WAFCON marked the Black Queens’ first appearance in the competition since 2018, and their strong performance has reignited optimism around the women’s game in Ghana.
CAF has yet to issue a public statement on when the prize money will be released to the teams.
