Sports

Shocking: How Ghana blew $3m in just 11 days at AFCON 2023

Ghana spent more than $3 million at this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, according to Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif.

The disclosures were disclosed by the Minister during his Wednesday appearance before Parliament.

The Minister acknowledged that although Ghana had allocated roughly $8.5 million for the competition, the Finance Ministry had provided $5 million for the competition’s initial stage.

shocking: How Ghana blew $3m in just 11 days at AFCON 2023

The $3 million was intended for “… per diems, flight arrangements for the team, medicals, equipment, logistics, and hospitality,” the Minister stated.

“Mr Speaker, our estimated budget for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was $8,506,450.00 to cater for the team’s pre-tournament and the Tournament Phases (group stages, 1/16 stage, quarter-final, semi-final and final),” he said.

“Out of the $8,506,450.00, $5,071,840.36 was released by the Ministry of Finance of which US$3,070,067.81 was spent on per diems, flight arrangements for the team, medicals, equipment, logistics and hospitality.

“This resulted in a surplus of $2,001,772.55, after our exit from the tournament,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Telecommunications giant MTN Ghana also donated $400,000 to support Ghana’s AFCON campaign.

“An amount of US$400,000.00 was received from MTN Ghana. This contributed immensely in complimenting Government’s expenditure towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.”

Ussif also clarified that the Ministry did not pay any amount to the players since the Black Stars did not qualify to the next round of the tournament.

“Mr Speaker, the Ministry had negotiated to pay bonuses should the team progress to the next round of the tournament, therefore, no qualification bonuses were paid due to the team’s exit at the group stage.

“Mr Speaker, this measure adopted by the Ministry, was aimed at motivating the team to go all out and progress from one stage of the competition to the other, and also ensure prudent management of resources,” he stated.

Ghana exited the AFCON group stage after drawing 2-2 against Mozambique in their final group game.

Akosua Boatemaa

I'm Yours Truly, Blogger Akosua Boatemaa. I'm here to feed Your eyes and Ears with Authentic News Updates.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please turn off your Ads Blocker to better serve you and provide you with the best.