Ghana FA won’t ‘chop’ World Cup money – Yaw Ampofo Ankrah

Published on: 14 March 2014
Ghana FA won’t ‘chop’ World Cup money – Yaw Ampofo Ankrah
Ghana FA boss Nyantakyi (right) sports minister Afriyie Ankrah (left)

By Patrick Akoto

An aide to Sports Minister Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah says the budget for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be disclosed amid growing debate on a reported staggering US$ 20 million.

The Ghana FA has submitted the country’s 2014 World Cup plans to the Presidency to ensure early release of funds.

However, a reported $20 million being quoted as the figure has generated massive uproar among various individuals, groups and other stakeholders.

Even though the Ghana FA has insisted the final approved budget will be made public, fears of a potential embezzlement is just refusing to wash away with latest claim players are now demanding an increased $100,000 apiece as appearance fee for the global showpiece.

In a letter signed by captain Asamoah Gyan, the players justified the demand for an increase in the appearance fee and if approved will see the 23-man squad bag $2.3 million just for appearing.

Ghana’s economy is in tatters with myriad of financial constraints confronting the current government, which has prompted the huge cry about the big figures being bandied around.

However an aide to the country’s sports minister, Yaw Ampfo Ankrah, is urging calm insisting every penny will be accounted for, labeling allegations of potential malfeasance as ‘mischievous’

“People are just been mischievous and am getting impatient personally because in 2006 and 2010, it was not a hidden budget, it was open and everybody knows what went in and what came back, there was no secret,” he told Radio XYZ

“If Ghana gets to the quarters, the semis or finals the money they make does it go back to the government or the FA, these are the questions we should be asking.

“There is no way Ghana’s budget for the World Cup will be approved without there being no transparency; that is not possible.

“There is no way an amount will be approved and the GFA will in go ‘chop chop’.

I think that’s quiet naive thinking by some that an amount will be approved and the GFA will chop the money I mean that to me is quiet scandalous.”

The Black Stars players recently rejected payment of monies in cedis despite a directive by the country’s central government.

Ghana’s West African rivals Nigeria will spend $12million at the mundial.

The US budget is listed at US$2 million although the amount may increase. Algeria has proposed US$5.8 million; One million of the mount will be received from sponsorship.

Belgium on December 12 announced an allocation of €4.5 million for the national team for Brazil 2014.

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