On September 2, 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, announced a major change in the payment structure for the Black Stars Management Committee.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra ahead of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad, Adams revealed that the government has eliminated winning bonuses for the management committee members of the Black Stars and other national teams. Previously, committee members received $10,000 for each victory, while players were paid $5,000.
Adams explained that the decision aims to ensure fairness and accountability in how public funds are spent. “The Sports Ministry has decided not to pay winning bonuses to the management team members of the national teams,” he stated. Instead, players will continue to receive a per diem of $150, and technical team members will get $200. Additionally, the technical team’s winning bonuses have been restructured— they will now receive half of the players’ bonuses, with the remaining 50% paid only if the team qualifies for a major tournament like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If the team fails to qualify, the technical staff will forfeit the remaining amount.
The Black Stars Management Committee, currently chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey with former captain Stephen Appiah as vice chairman, includes Samuel Aboabire, Moses Parker, and Richard Nsenkyire. Adams also disclosed that the committee members are currently working without any financial compensation, though they may receive a reward if Ghana qualifies for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. “For now, they are all doing a sacrificial job for the team,” he noted, emphasizing that the government is only covering their accommodation and meals.
This decision comes amid broader efforts to cut costs in the Black Stars’ budget. The Ministry also removed a $5,000 fuel allocation for the team bus and reduced the overall budget for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chad (September 4) and Mali (September 8) by $732,750, bringing it down from $2,053,240 to $1,320,490. These measures follow President John Mahama’s directive for transparency and fiscal responsibility in national team spending.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Some praise the move as a step toward equitable spending, while others question its impact on the management committee’s morale. As Ghana prepares for its crucial qualifiers, with the Black Stars leading Group I with 15 points, the focus remains on securing a fifth World Cup appearance. The final results of these changes will likely become clearer as the team’s performance unfolds.
