Ghana's Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, claims that an estimated $5.1 million was spent on the country's 2022 World Cup campaign, which ended in the group stage after the Black Stars failed to beat Uruguay.
The four-time African champions were eliminated in the first round after falling to Uruguay 2-0 in a match that Ghanaians had hoped to win to avenge the painful defeat at the hands of the South Americans in South Africa 12 years ago.
Prior to the tournament in Qatar, Ussif revealed that the government had budgeted $8.1 million for the group stage campaign. Thus, his latest revelation of $5.1 million spent means they saved $3 million, which he described as “prudent management”.
“Our estimated budget at the group stage was $8.1 million,” he said in Parliament.
“Out of this estimated budget Mr Speaker, our total expenditure for the group stage participation amounted to $5,171, 840.
“These expenditures covered appearance free, per diem, flight arrangements, medicals, equipment logistics, and hospitality.”
“Mr Speaker the reason for the surplus of $3 million after our exit from the group stage is the result of the ministry's prudent management of resources as well as the ministry's decision to negotiate on qualification bonus for the next round instead of paying winning bonuses per match.”
“What this means is that in spite of our black stars defeating South Korea in our second group match we did not pay any winning bonus for that game”.
According to reports, FIFA will pay Ghana $9 million for their group stage exit. Meanwhile, champions Argentina are set to take home more than $40 million.