Engineers and Planners pay $2m to Black Stars World Cup Fund
Lead sponsor of the Black Stars World Cup Fund, Engineers and Planners (E&P), has paid an initial $2 million — part of its $5 million pledge as corporate Ghana steps up support for the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Group CEO Ibrahim Mahama led a delegation to present a symbolic cheque to Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the Black Stars World Cup Fundraising Committee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, on Thursday, April 30.
The amount has already been deposited into a dedicated World Cup account at the Bank of Ghana to ensure transparency and proper allocation toward the team’s preparations.
Mr Mahama described the contribution as part of the company’s social responsibility, stressing that supporting the Black Stars ultimately benefits all Ghanaians.
“Contributing to the Black Stars means contributing to everybody. This shows our commitment to Ghana,” he said at the Ministry of Finance in Accra.
He added that the company’s recent milestone — including the acquisition of the Damang Gold Mine and its first gold sale to the Bank of Ghana — reflects its broader commitment to national development.
“We just did our first gold pour and sold it to the Bank of Ghana. We are proud of this because it aligns with our intention to support the country,” he noted.
Mr Mahama emphasized that the $2 million is only the first tranche of the company’s pledge, assuring that the remaining $3 million will be paid. He also called for recognition of E&P workers for their role in supporting the initiative.
“We want our workers, whose efforts make these contributions possible, to be recognised as part of this journey,” he said.
The donation is part of a broader fundraising drive launched by President John Dramani Mahama in March, targeting $30 million from corporate Ghana and the general public to support the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign.
The initiative includes innovative approaches such as a national raffle to encourage wider participation. Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams has also indicated that the campaign aims to boost Ghanaian presence at the tournament, especially among diaspora communities facing high travel and ticket costs.
E&P’s contribution set the tone for further donations, with several organisations honouring their pledges. The total amount raised so far stands at GH¢13,931,500 and $2 million, following earlier contributions, including a GH¢5 million tranche from KGL Group.
New contributors include GT Bank (Gh¢2,236,000), First Atlantic Bank (1,102,000), Timeline & Innovation (1,000,000), First National Bank (553,500) and Petroleum Commission (500,000), totalling Gh¢5,391,500.
Receiving the donations, Mr Ampem expressed appreciation to Ghanaians for their support.
“On behalf of the Black Stars and all Ghanaians, we say a big thank you to all institutions and individuals who have supported the team to fly Ghana’s flag high,” he said.
Ghana will face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L of the expanded 48-team tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.
