Black Stars' Afcon 2015 budget talks begin

Ghana’s sports ministry and football association have began discussing the national team’s budget for the 2015 Afcon.

Sources tell supersport.com that the two bodies met over the Ghana FA’s draft budget for the Black Stars’ campaign at the 30th edition of the African football elite competition on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the ministry asked the FA to review certain provisions in the budget and present a revised one the following day which will be forwarded to the cabinet.

Supersport.com contacted Michael Frimpong, the sports ministry’s spokesperson and he confirms the information.

“The Ghana FA brought their budget and after discussions with the ministry on Tuesday, they were asked to make some amendments before it is presented to cabinet for approval. We are expecting the amended budget by close of day,” he said.

Both bodies have been tight-lipped on the sum of the draft budget proposed by the Ghana FA for the Black Stars to Equatorial Guinea.

Last year, the Ghana FA presented a US$7.8 million budget for the South Africa 2013 tournament but got only US$4 million approved by government.

Per a document in the possession of supersport.com, the Black Stars’ preparation and participation in the 2015 Afcon qualifying phase alone was estimated by the sports ministry at GHS 6 652 000 (US$2 072 294).

Ghana will be competing against Senegal, Algeria and South Africa in Group C of the 2015 Afcon.