Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has unveiled that the government greenlit a budget of US$8.5 million, as proposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Okudzeto Ablakwa shared his revelation in a comprehensive post, stating that he aims to expose the “basic information” that the GFA and the Sports Ministry have purportedly kept hidden from the public eye.
“THE SECRET IS OUT; THE WAIT IS OVER — GOVT & GFA AGREED ON A BLACK STARS AFCON BUDGET OF AN ASTONISHING US$8.5 MILLION (GHS 105 MILLION),” he declared.
In reference to his earlier disclosure about taxpayers spending GHS 27.9 million on the Black Stars between 2022 and 2023, Okudzeto Ablakwa promised to share additional financial details specifically related to the AFCON tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
He expressed frustration at the alleged attempts by government and GFA officials to conceal the budget for the preparation and participation of the Black Stars in the ongoing 2024 AFCON. Despite parliamentary inquiries and efforts by Ghanaian sports journalists, Okudzeto Ablakwa claimed that the Youth and Sports Minister, along with associates at the FA, have refused to disclose this crucial information.
“I promised in my publication last week on the staggering GHS 27.9 million taxpayers spent on the Black Stars between 2022 and 2023, that I shall subsequently, in the supreme national interest, share further information on financials relating specifically to the AFCON tournament in Côte d’Ivoire — I intend to keep that promise today,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, Okudzeto Ablakwa pledged to provide a breakdown of how the substantial amount was intended to be utilized during the tournament, promising more explosive intercepted documents in a follow-up post at 3 pm the next day.
The Black Stars experienced a disappointing performance at the 2023 AFCON, managing only two draws and suffering one defeat in Group B. A 2-1 loss to Cape Verde in the opening game was followed by 2-2 draws with Egypt and Mozambique in the second and final group matches, resulting in the team’s early exit from the tournament with just two points and a goal deficit, marking a consecutive group-stage exit after a similar fate in the 2021 edition.
-The Post Ghana
