Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, revealed that Ghana spent approximately $3 million at this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Abidjan.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, he stated that the Ministry budgeted approximately $8.5 million, of which $5 million was released by the Finance Ministry for the first round of competition.
The $5 million released was intended to cover “… per diems, flight arrangements for the team, medicals, equipment, logistics, and hospitality,” with the remaining $2 million not used by his office.
“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 went on to say.
“Of the $8,506,450.00, the Ministry of Finance released $5,071,840.36, of which US$3,070,067.81 was used for per diems, team travel, medical care, equipment, logistics, and lodging.
“This resulted in a surplus of $2,001,772.55, after our exit from the tournament,” he said. Additionally, according to Mr. Ussif, the Sports Ministry raised roughly $400,000 to help the government provide the team with the best possible preparations.
“We have received US$400,000.00 from MTN Ghana. This made a significant contribution to offsetting the government’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament expenses.”
According to media reports, the Black Stars players received payments totaling $30,000 before their last Group B match against Mozambique, which was intended to inspire them for the pivotal encounter.
According to Ussif, the players were not given any money because they were unable to advance to the next round of the competition. He clarified that it’s a policy put in place to oversee the nation’s resources.
“Mr. Speaker, no qualification bonuses were given because the team was eliminated at the group stage because the Ministry had agreed to pay bonuses should the team advance to the next round of the competition.
“Mr Speaker, this measure adopted by the Ministry, was aimed at motivating the team to go all out and progress from one stage of the competition to the other, and also ensure prudent management of resources,” he said.
Following a 2-2 draw in their last group match against Mozambique, Ghana was eliminated from the AFCON group stage.
