Ghana spent $3m on AFCON 2023 – Sports Minister

$3 million was spent on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif.

Speaking on the floor of the Accra parliament on Wednesday, Mr. Ussif stated that the sum was a portion of the $5,007,840.36 that the Ministry of Finance had made available.

As per his statement, $2,177, 720.55 was left over following the Black Stars’ elimination from the competition during the Group Stage.

“Mr Speaker our estimated budget for the 2023 AFCON tournament was $8,506,450 to cater for the pre-tournament stages. That is our pre-camping stage. The tournament stage that is the group stages and also the round 16 stage, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals Ghana’s estimated budget would have been $8,506,450”

“Out of this amount, an amount of $5,007,840.36 was released by the Ministry of Finance of which $3,007,067.81 was spent on the team pre-camping in Kumasi…This resulted in a surplus of $2,177, 720.55 after our early exit from the tournament,” he said.

The Minister of Sports hinted that bonuses would be given to the players if they advanced to the next round.

“Mr Speaker, the Ministry had negotiated to pay bonuses should the team progres to the next round of the tournament,” he added.

In response to a statement submitted on the floor, Mr. Mustapha Ussif was reporting to Parliament on the expenses incurred by the Black Stars.

This follows the Black Stars’ underwhelming performance at the 34th AFCON.

Ghana lost the competition during the group stage.

The Black Stars, who have won the competition four times previously, lose 1-2 to Cape Verde in their opening Group B game and then draw 2-2 with Mozambique and Egypt.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com