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Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports budgeted $8.5 million for Ghana’s participation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Signed documents published by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, show despite the Ministry’s refusal to disclose the budget, government had already approved $8.5m for the tournament in next-door La Côte d’Ivoire.
“From the latest unimpeachable, irrefutable and indisputable intercepted documents in my possession — I can boldly confirm that the Ghanaian government and the GFA put together and agreed on a shocking AFCON preparation and participation budget of US$8,506,450.00,” he wrote.
The figure US$8,506,450.00 is contained in an intercepted letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, dated 2nd January, 2024.
In a separate expose last week, the MP revealed that Ghana spent a total of GHS27.9million on the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers.
Before the Black Stars enplaned to La Côte d’Ivoire, the Sports Ministry refused to disclose the budget despite calls from many Ghanaians.
At the time, the Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, Charles Amofah, claimed it was “a work in progress.””The AFCON budget is a work in progress. Ghanaians will know after the tournament,” in an interview with Angel TV.
“It is addressed to the Minister of Finance requesting part payment of US$5,071,840.36 from the total Black Stars budget of US$8,506,450.00. The request letter in issue is signed by Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. William Kartey on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif.”
The Black Stars suffered a first round exit after picking just two points from three matches in Group B.
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