The government has announced that every Thursday is designated as a day for receiving pledges and informing the public about the fundraising drive to sponsor the Ghana Black Stars for the 2026 World Cup.

“Every Thursday, we will meet here to receive contributions, allowing those who are yet to fulfil their pledges to do so,” Mr Ampem said.

Speaking at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance in Accra to acknowledge the contributions made toward Ghana’s official 2026 World Cup Fundraising Account and encourage more support from other bodies, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem highlighted that the move forms part of the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the fundraising drive.

Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem indicated that all contributions were paid into the official 2026 World Cup Fundraising Account at the Bank of Ghana.

KGL Group contributed GHC5 million, representing half of its GHC10 million pledge. Serene Insurance donated GHC2 million in cash and provided a GHC20 million insurance package.

Icon Energy and Jewel Energy each gave GHC1 million, while Erata Motors donated GHC200,000 and PayAngel contributed GHC100,000. Alex Okyere of KAF Company Limited made a personal donation of GHC240,000.

“We are grateful to all of you for your love for the Black Stars. Even though the first two friendly matches did not go well, we remain optimistic that the team will make us proud at the World Cup,” he said.

The fundraising initiative, launched in March 2026 by President John Dramani Mahama, seeks to raise $30 million for the tournament.

He urged corporate bodies and individuals to support the initiative.

“We urge corporate bodies and individuals to support the initiative,” he added.

An amount of $10m was raised at the launch of Black Stars' fundraising campaign organised on Monday, March 23, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

This information was disclosed by the Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem.

“The fundraising target is $30 million, and if you listen to the pledges and donations, on day one of the launch, we got about $10 million. We are going to put together other events, and we believe that the contributions that are coming in from the short code as well,” he said.

The launch event was attended by high-profile individuals, including President John Dramani Mahama, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not sponsor the travel of supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to prevent unnecessary pressure on the already strained public purse.

Speaking at the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign on Friday, March 20, at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, the President noted that the decision has been informed by recommendations from the Dzamefe Report, which advised the government to discontinue sponsoring fans to such tournamnets using taxpayers' money.

“In consonance with the Dzamefe Report, the government has no plans to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” he said.

It was an investigative report prepared by the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, set up in July 2014 by President John Mahama. Its purpose was to examine the scandals that unfolded during the tournament and recommend reforms for Ghana’s football administration.

The President explained that not even a handful of supporters can be sponsored, citing that flying and accommodating just 200 supporters could cost close to $2 million, which would heavily impact the government’s purse.

“The logistical support required to fly and accommodate even just 200 supporters is staggering,” he added, while acknowledging the importance of boosting the Black Stars’ morale during the tournament. However, he said the government must prioritise the prudent use of public resources.

“We all want to see our fans in the stands, but we must be responsible in how we use public resources,” he added, stressing the need to channel funds into critical areas such as job creation.

The decision means that supporters who wish to travel to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will have to rely on private funding, sponsorships, or other fundraising efforts.