Black Stars spent Ghc 27.9m on AFCON qualifiers only – Okudjeto Ablakwa alleges

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu, is urging Ghanaian football players who play for the Black Stars to acknowledge the substantial financial sacrifices made by taxpayers during the current economic downturn.

Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that players must demonstrate respect and the highest level of commitment despite the pride and honor of representing the country, given the financial strain on already struggling taxpayers.

Following Ghana’s underwhelming performance at the 2023 Afcon, where the team finished in the group stages with just two points in three games against Egypt, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, Mr. Ablakwa made these remarks.

The total cost of these expenses is a significant GHS27,967,036.34.

Mr. Ablakwa stated that the most recent tournament expenditure items from the ongoing Afcon tournament in Côte d’Ivoire are not included in this spending during a historic economic crisis, which he plans to highlight later.

He emphasized that players and officials must realize that the GHS27.9 million spent on Black Stars activities could be used to address a number of national issues, as the nation struggles to raise even GHS4 million to support the Korle-Bu’s renal unit.

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I hope Ghanaian footballers called to play for the Black Stars recognize that apart from the pride and high honour in representing our nation, taxpayers are making extraordinary sacrifices on the team despite the prevailing economic crisis.

The huge financial burden on struggling taxpayers must warrant some respect and utmost commitment from these players.

Documents submitted to Parliament by Ghana’s Youth and Sports Ministry a few weeks ago have shed light on a number of these Black Stars expenditure items:

1) 2024 AFCON Qualifier (Ghana V Angola — Home & Away) — GHS7,452,437.71

2) 2024 AFCON Qualifier (Ghana V Madagascar — Home & Away) — GHS8,395,434.13

3) 2024 AFCON Qualifier (Ghana V Central Africa Republic — Home & Away) — GHS3,414,894.51

4) April to June 2023 salaries of the coach & signing on fees — GHS3,379,548.10

5) The official ministerial documents also reveal that it cost taxpayers a significant GHS5,324,721.89 to airlift supporters of the Black Stars during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

These 5 items alone amount to a colossal GHS27,967,036.34

Note that this GHS27.9million spent on Black Stars related activities during a period of historic economic crisis does not include latest tournament expenditure items in Côte d’Ivoire (I shall highlight that later).

For a country undergoing unprecedented financial haircuts which does not spare even the aged, and for a country unable to raise GHS4million to save lives at Korle-Bu’s renal unit — players of our senior national team and GFA officials must acknowledge that there are so many national problems we can solve with GHS27.9million and that we do not deserve this calamitous output.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com