A massive controversy is brewing within the Ghanaian sports community following the disclosure of a proposed $310,000 (approx. GH¢3.3 million) honorarium for the five members of the Black Stars Management Committee. The figure, part of a broader $13.7 million budget submitted by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was confirmed by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, during a presentation to Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports on Thursday, February 26.
According to the breakdown, each of the five committee members is set to receive a flat payment of $62,000 (GH¢660,000) for their role in managing the team’s campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The reconstituted committee, which was formed after Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, is chaired by veteran administrator Dr. Randy Abbey, with Black Stars legend Stephen Appiah serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include Dr. Richard Nsenkyire, Moses Armah, and Samuel Aboabire.
The news has triggered a wave of criticism from fans and civil society groups, who argue that the allocation is excessive, especially at a time when grassroots sports and domestic leagues are struggling for basic funding. Critics have pointed out that while the $62,000 per head is a reduction from the $100,000 reportedly paid after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the "honorarium" remains separate from the actual performance bonuses and per diems that officials will receive during the tournament.
Defending the proposal, some GFA insiders argue that the management team performs critical administrative and logistical work that ensures the players can focus entirely on the pitch. However, the optics of such a high payout for "volunteers" or "appointees" have led to calls for the Ministry of Sports to slash the administrative budget in favor of player incentives or infrastructure. Minister Kofi Adams clarified that the figures are currently at the "proposal stage" and could still be revised before final approval by the Ministry of Finance.
The total $13.7 million budget is based on a "best-case scenario" where the Black Stars reach the World Cup final. It includes $1.23 million for pre-tournament camping at Bryant University and $6.28 million for the group stage, where Ghana will face England, Croatia, and Panama. As the debate intensifies, the GFA faces increasing pressure to justify why five officials require a combined payout that could fund several local youth academies for an entire year.
