Mustapha Ussif, Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, has disclosed that approximately $3 million was spent at the AFCON 2023 tournament, despite the premature exit of the Black Stars from the competition.
The initial budget allocated for the tournament amounted to $8.5 million, with $5 million being disbursed by the Finance Ministry to cover various expenses including per diems, flight arrangements, medical provisions, equipment procurement, logistical requirements, and hospitality services.
However, owing to the underperformance of the national team, which resulted in their elimination at the group stage, a surplus of $2 million remained unutilized.
Ussif elucidated further during his address to Parliament, stating, “Our estimated budget for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was $8,506,450.00, encompassing the team’s pre-tournament preparations and the subsequent tournament phases.” Out of this amount, $5,071,840.36 was released by the Ministry of Finance, of which $3,070,067.81 was expended on various aforementioned necessities.
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The surplus of $2,001,772.55, as Ussif clarified, arose post the team’s elimination from the competition.
Moreover, the ministry also received a supplementary contribution of $400,000 from MTN Ghana, which bolstered the government’s financial outlay for the tournament.
Addressing speculations surrounding purported payments of $30,000 to each Black Stars player before their final Group B fixture against Mozambique, Ussif debunked such claims, affirming that no such disbursements were made due to the team’s failure to progress to the subsequent round. This strategic decision aimed to incentivize improved performance from the players, while ensuring prudent management of the country’s resources.
Regrettably, the Black Stars’ campaign in Ivory Coast concluded without a single victory, with defeats against Cape Verde (1-2) and a draw with both Egypt and Mozambique (2-2 each). Their third-place finish with two points proved insufficient to secure advancement in the tournament.
The disclosure sheds light on the financial intricacies and management strategies employed during Ghana’s participation in AFCON 2023, underscoring the challenges and decisions faced amidst sporting endeavors of national significance.