Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, is facing mounting pressure to disclose the budget for the Black Stars’ recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, following widespread public outcry and a direct call from President John Mahama for greater transparency in national team spending.
Despite impressive victories—thrashing Chad 5-0 in Accra and defeating Madagascar 3-0 in Morocco—the celebrations have been overshadowed by unanswered questions about the financial costs associated with the games.
In an interview on Channel One TV’s Face-to-Face programme, Adams insisted that the budget was not being kept secret but would be made public “when the time is right.” He emphasized the importance of allowing the team to stay focused ahead of future matches, stating, “I am not hiding the budget for the Black Stars—you will know it when the time is right. We have next assignments coming up.”
However, critics argue that withholding such information undermines President Mahama’s recent pledge during his State of the Nation Address, where he underscored the need for all national team budgets to be made available to the public as a matter of accountability.
Sports analysts and journalists have also echoed these concerns, asserting that transparency around team finances is essential in building trust between the government and football-loving Ghanaians—especially in light of past controversies over bloated expenditures.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports is said to have urged the Minister to release the figures promptly, reinforcing that public funds must be accounted for.
As Ghana tops Group I with 15 points and eyes qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the demand for financial openness is intensifying—adding pressure on Kofi Adams to match the team’s on-pitch performance with off-pitch accountability.
