The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has announced sweeping savings on the Black Stars’ budget for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after President John Mahama directed tighter scrutiny of national team spending.
Sports Minister Kofi Adams, speaking to the press in Accra on Tuesday, confirmed that government approved a total of $1,320,490 for Ghana’s back-to-back qualifiers against Chad and Mali, a sharp reduction from the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) initial request of $2,053,240.
The cuts, he explained, translate into a saving of $732,750 for the state.
For Matchday 7 against Chad on September 4 in N’Djamena, the government slashed the GFA’s estimate of $1,239,090 to $856,890. Key savings came from reduced bonuses, leaner imprest, and lower accommodation and travel allocations. Player bonuses, for example, were halved from $260,000 to $130,000, with the balance only payable if Ghana qualifies for the World Cup.
A similar approach was applied for Matchday 8 against Mali on September 8 in Accra, where $463,600 was approved instead of the requested $814,150. Once again, cuts were made across bonuses, imprest, and staff allowances.
Minister Adams praised the GFA’s cooperation and commended the players for accepting revised bonus structures in line with Ghana’s current economic conditions.
“Across both match windows, we have realised total savings of $732,750. This demonstrates government’s resolve to protect taxpayers while ensuring the Black Stars are adequately resourced to perform,” he said.
The Minister added that the exercise underscored the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, promising continued collaboration with the GFA to align national team spending with the realities of the economy.
