Ghana Football Association Executive Council member, Frederick Acheampong, has criticized Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for disclosing the budget for the 2023 AFCON. Ablakwa shared details of the $8.5 million budget agreed upon by the FA and Sports Ministry for the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Acheampong, who also serves as the New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary candidate for Ahafo Ano South East, accused Ablakwa of attempting to gain political advantage during an election year.
He emphasized that the budget included various components, such as pre-tournament camping and business class travel, with Ghana not utilizing even 40% of the allocated funds.
Acheampong expressed his confusion at Ablakwa’s actions, suggesting that the leak was exaggerated to score political points, highlighting that similar incidents had occurred in the past. The Black Stars faced elimination from the group stage in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
“By virtue of my position on the Executive Council board. First of all, why is he running around like he has obtained something significant? Because we are in an election year, he exaggerated the thing. What is the meaning of budget? ‘Estimated expenditure” The coach initially wanted to train in South Africa, if you include all these things. You know they travel with business class. So that budget of $8.5 contains components of the pre-tournament camping before the tournament itself.
“And in the end, Ghana did not spend even up to 40% of the money. It was budget and you have to draft it and give it to the ministry for them to discuss before they approve. I don’t understand why he is exaggerating making it look as if the team spent $8 million. Even spent the South Africa component because the team trained at the Dr. Kwame Ktei Sports Complex. I don’t know why he would do this unless scores cheap political points. This is not the first time, it has happened several times.” he told Sompa FM.
