Reviewing and rationalising the Black Stars’ budget has saved the country about $700,000, the Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has said.

According to him, the savings come after a directive from President Mahama that the budget for the national team be made public ahead of the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In compliance, the Buem Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) made it public after the Black Stars’ recent doubleheader against Chad.

The decision by the Buem Member of Parliament drew criticism from sections of the football fraternity, who questioned the disclosure of the team’s financial details.

However, speaking to the media after Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang paid a working visit to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Mr Adams defended the policy, describing it as prudent and beneficial.

“We worked closely with the FA to rationalise the budgeting and disbursement processes, and this has saved close to $700,000 across two Black Stars matches,” he said.

Mr Adams stressed that the cost-cutting measures did not negatively affect the team, noting that players and the technical staff received all their entitlements.

“These measures have gone a long way to build confidence. The players did not suffer, and the technical team did not suffer. They continued to receive what was due them, even with the savings,” he added.

The Vice President’s visit saw the presence of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, Deputy Directors of the National Sports Authority, Veronica Commey and Gideon Hammond, as well as Sports Ministry Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are expected to regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany.

Budget allocation for Black Stars earlier

Ghana Black Stars have booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be hosted in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Consequently, the government announced a (GHS 150million) hundred and fifty million ($13m) to fund the team's preparations for the World’s biggest football tournament.

During the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on the floor of Parliament yesterday, he explained that,

“The government’s sustained investment in sports yielded impressive results, with the Black Stars qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated for the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup,” he stated.

Dr Forson explained that the funding underscores the government’s wider strategy to support national teams competing on the global stage and to strengthen sports development nationwide.

He added that the government remains committed to improving sports infrastructure and nurturing talent across the country, noting that plans are underway to build new stadiums in selected regions.

The Minister went on to commend the Black Stars for their hard work, which has led Ghana to secure its fifth qualification, cementing their place among Africa’s most consistent footballing nations.

“Mr Speaker. We also take this opportunity to acknowledge the resilience and commitment of our Black Stars, whose qualification for the World Cup continues to inspire the nation”, Dr Forson noted.

According to him, government commitment to the Sports sector has yielded what he describes as “impressive results”.

He said, “the Black Stars qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Black Queens won bronze at the Women’s AFCON. Ghana’s U-15 Girls won the CAF African Schools Championship, and the U-15 Boys placed third.

The Golden Palms defended their African Youth Baseball Championship, and the GRA Ladies Hockey Team retained their continental title. Athletes Anita Afrifa and Rose Yeboah set new national records, while para-athletes Zinabu Issah and Gilbert Ampiah won medals in Morocco. Abdul-Rasheed Saminu ranked among the world’s fastest 100m runners. 579.

Mr Speaker, Team Ghana won 55 medals at the African Arm-wrestling Championships and excelled across athletics, badminton, boxing, tennis, and wrestling. Ghana also hosted the 2025 CAA Region II Senior Championships, securing 23 medals”.

He also announced that the government has targeted more investments into the Sports sector, which includes the building of ultra-modern stadia in regions that do not have any, particularly the new regions which were created under the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

“In 2026, the Government will invest in athlete welfare, sports infrastructure, and talent development in preparation for the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and other tournaments. The Anti-Doping Regulations will be finalised to enforce clean sports. 581.

Construction of modern stadia will begin in three of the eight regions without such facilities. The Ministry will also develop Bills for the National Sports College and Sports University, and organise inter-school, district, and regional sports competitions nationwide”, he added.

Over the years, past governments have mostly offered some form of financial support, be it full or partial, for supporters who travel to attend the World Cup. However, it has become a challenge over the years due to financial constraints.

With the current state of the country’s sports sector, Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has revealed that, while it has been a long-standing act, he “doesn’t recommend” it.

Speaking during an interview with Peace FM, Mr Adams revealed that, while no allocation will be made for flying fans to the tournament, the government will offer other support, but not financial, citing that anyone who intends to go to the World Cup will have to find their own resources.

He said the country’s economic challenges as the main reason for the government’s decision not to finance fan travel.

“Well, there is no game or tournament we don’t go with supporters, but whether I will take them or someone else will take them is a different ball game,” he said.

Mr Adams said there is a need for the government to prioritise investment in the country’s sports infrastructure instead of spending it on fan sponsorship.

“We are in a period of austerity. We need money to build sports infrastructure in Ghana. If we are going to spend money to transport supporters all the way to America, that same amount can build five multipurpose parks in some communities,” he stated.

While confirming that government funding is off the table, Mr Adams encouraged individuals and corporate organisations to step in.

“I believe there are a lot of Ghanaians in those areas. Anyone who wants to go should find their own resources; we can facilitate their travel documents. Or we can mobilise support from corporate bodies — both private and public, to assist the fans.

“Government can collaborate with corporations to support, which would be a good idea, but putting government money into the budget to take supporters, I don’t think so,” he added.