Following Black Stars disappointing campaign at the just ended 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has revealed $3m was spent on the team at the tournament.
Ghana’s elimination happened after finishing third in a group featuring Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
With a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde and consecutive 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, the Black Stars fell short of advancing to the Round of 16.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, the sector minister revealed that the Ministry budgeted about $8.5m of which $5m was released by the Finance Ministry for the first phase of the competition.
“Mr Speaker, our estimated budget for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was $8,506,450.00 to cater for the team’s pre-tournament and the Tournament Phases (group stages, 1/16 stage, quarter-final, semi-final and final),” he said.
“Out of the $8,506,450.00, $5,071,840.36 was released by the Ministry of Finance of which US$3,070,067.81 was spent on per diems, flight arrangements for the team, medicals, equipment, logistics and hospitality.
“This resulted in a surplus of $2,001,772.55, after our exit from the tournament,” he explained.
“An amount of US$400,000.00 was received from MTN Ghana. This contributed immensely in complimenting Government’s expenditure towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.”
He also dismissed reports suggesting that each Black Stars player was paid $30,000 before the final Group B game against Mozambique to motivate them in the crucial match.
This marks the second consecutive AFCON where Ghana exited at the group stages without securing a victory, prolonging the country’s quest for its fifth AFCON title to 42 years.
By: Gbordzor Promise
