- Kofi Adams says withholding the budget avoids distractions
- Contradicting President Mahama’s promise
- Adams assures the budget will be shared eventually
Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has justified the decision not to disclose the budget for the Black Stars’ matches against Chad and Madagascar in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Earlier, President John Mahama had announced in his State of the Nation Address that the budgets for national teams would be made public. However, as the crucial Matchday 5 and 6 fixtures approached, there were growing calls for the government to release the financial details of the team’s preparations.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Adams explained that keeping the budget under wraps was crucial to avoid any distractions that could negatively impact the team’s focus and performance.
“People kept asking me to disclose the budget for the games, but I kept questioning what revealing the budget would do for the team. At times, certain situations can create distractions, so we must carefully consider every decision,” he explained.
Despite the lack of transparency for now, the minister reassured the public that the budget details would eventually be shared.
“The budget for the team will be made available. There’s nothing to hide, but people must understand that running the national team is costly, especially since most of the players are based in Europe. Apart from that, all details will be shared eventually,” he added.
With the qualifiers continuing, the Black Stars are now focusing on their upcoming matches against Chad and Mali as they aim for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
