Sports Minister Kofi Adams has come out with a detailed and emphatic clarification on the financial arrangements for Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, as the country intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a interview with 3FM aimed at addressing lingering public concerns and speculation about how resources allocated to the team are being handled, the minister categorically confirmed that all player per diems have been paid directly onto electronic cards rather than disbursed in physical cash.
This decision, he explained, forms part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to modernize payment systems, reduce risks associated with large cash transactions, and promote greater discipline in the use of public and sponsorship funds.
By loading the per diems onto cards, the ministry ensures that players can access their allowances conveniently for legitimate expenses such as meals, transportation, and personal needs during camping and international matches, while also creating a verifiable digital trail that can be audited if necessary.
Furthermore, Minister Adams disclosed that appearance bonuses for matches played in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers and preparatory games have been transferred on an individual basis straight into each player’s personal bank account. This individualized transfer method was deliberately adopted to eliminate any possibility of group or bulk payments that could lead to disputes, delays, or allegations of favoritism.
The minister stressed that the move is designed to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability, allowing every player to receive his exact entitlement without any deductions or third-party involvement unless authorized.
He noted that these payment reforms reflect the government’s commitment to restoring trust in the management of national team affairs following past controversies that had sometimes tainted the image of Ghanaian football.
By shifting away from cash handouts and centralized distributions, the ministry hopes to foster a more professional environment where players can focus entirely on their performance on the pitch rather than worrying about logistical or financial uncertainties off it.
Minister Adams assured stakeholders, including fans, sponsors, and the Ghana Football Association, that the new system is already yielding positive results and will be sustained throughout the entire qualification campaign and beyond, should Ghana successfully qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in North America.
He also hinted that similar transparent mechanisms would be applied to other national teams under the ministry’s purview, signaling a wider reform agenda in sports administration.