Ghana's cabinet has approved Gh
¢24,677,025 as the total budget for the
Blacks Stars as they compete in the 2014
World Cup festivities to be held in Brazil this
June.
This was contained in a press release signed
by Minister for Information & Media
Relations, Mahama Ayariga.
A breakdown of the total amount indicates
that for the first group stage of the
competition, Cabinet has approved the
release of GH¢10,500,000 to the Ghana
Football Association (GFA) to finance Ghana's
participation.
For subsequent stages of the competition, a
further amount of GH¢14,177,025 has also
been budgeted to cover the team's expenses
if they qualify.
This brings Government commitment to the
Black Stars' participation to a total of GH
¢24,677,025.
Every budget for Ghana's World Cup
participation resurrects a ritual of debate
over whether the amount is prudent for a
one-month long competition or an overly
wasteful outlay of scarce resources.
This year has not been an exception.
Circling media reports had claimed the Ghana
Football Association submitted a budget of
around US$ 20 million to the Ministry of
Youth and Sports for approval.
News of it unleashed a familiar 'Ghana is too
poor' chorus and a melody of an impending
malfeasance at the World Cup.
The GFA and the Minister of Sports, Elvis
Afriyie Ankrah had kept silent and only
assured the amount would be made public
soon.
Ghana had a budget of US$19 million
approved for the last edition of the World
Cup in South Africa in 2010.
In the statement, Cabinet also has expressed
great confidence in the Ghana Black Stars
and its technical team and said it is satisfied
with the preparations made so far towards
Ghana's participation in the World Cup in
Brazil.
