Presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party, Kwabena Agyepong, has expressed his support for the Sports and Recreation Minister’s decision to disclose the budget for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for Ghana’s senior national team against Chad and Mali in 2026.
The Minister, Kofi Adams, made the announcement on Tuesday, September 2, revealing significant cuts in the Black Stars’ budget proposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to ensure cost savings.
This move was prompted by a directive from President John Mahama to promote transparency and financial responsibility in the spending on national team activities.
According to the Minister, the approved budget for the two upcoming games amounts to $1,320,490, a reduction from the GFA’s initial request of $2,053,240. This adjustment reflects a total saving of US$732,750.
Speaking to Luv Sports, Kwabena Agyepong commended the Minister’s decision, stating, “I believe in transparent governance, so I see no issue with that. I have previously served on the management committees of the Black Satellites and Black Starlets, where we did not receive any allowances. We did it out of patriotism and pride in serving our nation. Therefore, I do not view the financial aspect as a major concern.”
He went on to encourage the coaches and players to view representing their country as a valuable career opportunity, rather than solely focusing on financial rewards.
“This is a chance for them to showcase their skills. Football is now a lucrative industry, and most players earn substantial incomes. They should see playing for their country as a boost to their careers, an addition to their resumes, and a recognition of their worth as footballers,” Agyepong emphasized.
The Ghanaian team, led by Otto Addo, is scheduled to face Chad on September 4, 2025, and Mali on September 8, 2025, in Accra.
The 22 players from Ghana arrived in N’Djamena on Tuesday evening in preparation for the match against Chad. Ghana is in need of a victory to maintain their lead in Group I, having secured five wins in six games.
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