Outrage in Ghana over inflated AFCON 2023 budget despite group stage elimination

Ghana football fans have expressed their anger after it was revealed that $8.5 million (Ksh1.3 billion) had been budgeted for the Black Stars’ doomed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The Black Stars suffered a second straight group stage exit at the AFCON when they managed just two points from their group, following identical 2-2 draws with Egypt and Mozambique and a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, but they spent a fortune during their time in the Ivory Coast.

Ghana Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif revealed to Parliament on Wednesday that the initial budget for the tournament was $8.5 million, with $5 million (Ksh766 million) released to cover various expenses such as per diems, flights, medicals, equipment, logistics, and hospitality with $2 million (Ksh306 million) remaining unutilised following their early elimination.

"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)," Ussif said, as quoted by Ghanasoccernet.

"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.

"An amount of US$400,000.00 (Ksh61 million) was received from MTN Ghana. This contributed immensely in complementing the Government's expenditure towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.”

The revelations come in the wake of a protest dubbed ‘Save Ghana Football’ by football stakeholders and fans in the country, which took place in the capital Accra on Wednesday, with a petition delivered to Parliament.

Ghana’s AFCON budget was more than the $7 million (Ksh1 billion) awarded to winners Ivory Coast by CAF with runners-up Nigeria taking home $4 million (Ksh612 million) for their second-place finish.

Each of the four semi-finalists received $2.5 million (Ksh383 million) from CAF while $1.3 million (Ksh199 million) went to the eight teams who made the quarter-finals.

Coach Chris Hughton was sacked following Ghana’s disappointing campaign with the Ghana Football Association setting up a five-member committee to begin the search for his replacement.

It was revealed last week that the job had already attracted over 600 candidates who had submitted their applications at the time.