Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed the Ministry of Youth and Sports budgeted $8.5 million for the Black Stars campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Before the tournament, there were calls for the Ministry to disclose the budget set aside for the national team heading into the competition.
However, the Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, Charles Amofah, refused to reveal the budget claiming it was “a work in progress.”
“The AFCON budget is a work in progress. Ghanaians will know after the tournament,” he said on Angel TV.
In his latest post on social media, Ablakwa has claimed $8.5m was set aside for the team’s participation in the continent’s flagship tournament.
“From latest unimpeachable, irrefutable and indisputable intercepted documents in my possession — I can boldly confirm that the Ghanaian government and the GFA put together and agreed on a shocking AFCON preparation and participation budget of US$8,506,450.00,” he wrote.
“This hefty US$8.5million translates into a colossal GHS105million at current exchange.
Note that the GHS105million is entirely separate from the GHS27.9million spent on the qualifiers.
The figure US$8,506,450.00 is contained in an intercepted letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, dated 2nd January, 2024.
“It is addressed to the Minister of Finance requesting part payment of US$5,071,840.36 from the total Black Stars budget of US$8,506,450.00. The request letter in issue is signed by Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. William Kartey on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif.”
The Black Stars exited the competition in the group stage after taking just two points from a possible six from their group games.
Source: myjoyonline