Ghana’s AFCON 2023 budget: $3 million spent despite early exit

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Enoch Fiifi Forson
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Mustapha Ussif
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Ghana spent around $3 million at the AFCON 2023 tournament, despite the Black Stars’ early exit, according to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif. 

In a statement made on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, Ussif confirmed that the initial budget for the tournament was $8.5 million, with $5 million released by the Finance Ministry to cover expenses such as per diems, flights, medicals, equipment, logistics, and hospitality.

However, due to the team’s failure to advance beyond the group stage, a surplus of $2 million remained unused.

“Mr Speaker, our estimated budget for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was $8,506,450.00 to cater for the team’s pre-tournament and the tournament phases (group stages, 1/16 stage, quarter-final, semi-final and final),” he said.

“Out of the $8,506,450.00, $5,071,840.36 was released by the Ministry of Finance of which US$3,070,067.81 was spent on per diems, flight arrangements for the team, medicals, equipment, logistics and hospitality.

“This resulted in a surplus of $2,001,772.55, after our exit from the tournament,” he explained.

Ussif also revealed that the ministry received $400,000 from MTN Ghana, which helped supplement government spending on the tournament.

Addressing rumours that the Black Stars players were paid $30,000 each before the final Group B game against Mozambique, Ussif clarified that no such payments were made, as the team did not qualify for the next round.

He explained that this approach was taken to encourage the team to perform well and progress through the tournament, while also managing the country’s resources effectively.

Black Stars failed to win a match in Ivory Coast, losing to Cape Verde 2-1 and then drawing 2-2 with Egypt and Mozambique respectively. They finished third with two points which wasn’t enough for progression.