President Mahama orders full disclosure of national team spending
President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to make public the full budget of the Black Stars, insisting that all government expenditures on national teams must be transparent.
The President’s directive, delivered during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament yesterday, comes amid growing concerns about financial mismanagement in Ghana’s sports sector.
This concern has been compounded by a string of dismal performances by the national teams.
The Black Stars' recent failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has deepened frustration among fans and stakeholders.
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“There will be no secrecy about how much the government spends on the national teams. The budgets presented by the FA and other sports associations must be made public,” President Mahama asserted. “After all, it is taxpayers' money funding these activities.”
“The budget presented by the FA and other sports associations must be made public, as it is taxpayers’ money,” he declared, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to financial accountability.
Allegations of financial impropriety, including the misappropriation of FIFA funds, have sparked calls for investigations into the GFA.
The President’s intervention signals a decisive step towards ensuring greater transparency and restoring public trust in the management of Ghanaian football.
Holding GFA accountable
President Mahama expressed concern over the dwindling fortunes of the Black Stars, describing the once-mighty team as “a pale shadow of its former self.”
He revealed that he had tasked the Ministry of Sports and Recreation with ensuring greater accountability from the GFA, especially ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
"Next month, the senior national team, the Black Stars, will play two crucial World Cup qualifying matches. I have instructed my Office and the Minister for Sports and Recreation to ensure the Ghana Football Association is held accountable to the people of Ghana as we prepare for these games, especially regarding the budget of the FA," he stated.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars aim to bounce back in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21 before travelling to Madagascar for another crucial qualifier three days later.
Revamping grassroots sports
Beyond enforcing financial accountability, President Mahama outlined his government’s vision for revitalising sports development in Ghana.
He announced plans to prioritise the construction and refurbishment of community recreational facilities to encourage greater participation in grassroots sports.
