Sports Minister pledges disclosure of Black Stars budgets before games

By: Maxwell Woyram Tsigbe

The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, has assured of his ministry’s commitment to publishing future match-related budgets for national teams beforehand to enable the public carry out a comprehensive scrutiny on them before the games are played.

According to him, the move is aimed at fostering transparency in the management of funds allocated for the male senior national team – Black Stars and other national teams.

In a media engagement on Friday, April 25, 2025, the Minister clarified issues on the cost of funding for the Black Stars at the quadrennial event which has ignited intense public debate and fierce criticism.

“There has been a matter of concern for many of you about the cost of supporting the national teams, and we made a promise that we’re going to keep you updated. We’re not going to keep that away from you and say that because of audit purposes we won’t publish anything. No. Even before the audits come, when all the details are available, we will make them clear to you,” the Minister assured.

Mr. Adams further emphasized the Sports Ministry’s openness to accountability while commenting on outstanding expenses borne out of Chad and Madagascar matches that are yet to be settled. He said the Ministry is still mobilizing funds to settle those payments.

Meanwhile, the sector minister highlighted technical jargons as a hindrance that inhibits proper comprehension of some contents of budgets which must be clarified in media engagements.

However, Mr. Adams promised to make available to Ghanaian a detailed post-match expenditure report for their consideration.

He concluded by expressing government’s readiness to fully support Ghana to qualify for next year’s World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico while defending his decision to fly the Black Stars in first-class if they win the tourney.