The one month long world cup tournament scheduled to take place in Latin America’s largest country, Brazil, from June 12 to July 13 will cost Ghana an extra $30 million aside the amount already budgeted for the tourney, The aL-hAJJ can report.
Adding to the $9.6m government has approved for the Black Stars participation in the world tournament, The aL-hAJJ has gathered that the nation’s energy providers are expected to spend the additional $30m in procuring crude to ensure stable power supply during the Mundial.
An additional $2.3m provided by sponsors according to GFA Chairman Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi would be used for the world cup campaign.
To achieve reliable power supply during the Mundial, sources at the nation’s power sector disclose to this paper that officials, on the directives of the presidency to avoid power cuts during the fiesta, have decided to procure more crude to ensure efficiency in power supply.
Appalled by the frequent power cuts in recent times, President Mahama, sources at the presidency have revealed has ordered the power suppliers to ensure Ghanaians enjoy stable power in order to follow proceedings when the Mundial starts in barely a week’s time.
The President’s directive, The aL-Hajj’s investigations have further revealed, is not unconnected to warnings by security experts to government to do all it can to assist the utility providers to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the populace to forestall any possible disturbances.
In the midst of threats by some soccer fans to engage the Electricity Company of Ghana in a showdown if officials continue with the erratic supply of power during the tournament, some security experts warned government to ensure efficient power supply to the citizenry.
Sources say Ghanaians affinity and love for sports, especially when the Blacks Stars is in action, propelled President Mahama to give the power providers the directive.
Though the country is faced with challenges on the economic front, sources say government is doing all it can to raise the $30m for the procurement of crude to forestall the perennial power cuts the country is experiencing.
Early this year, government approved a total of ¢24,677,025 (US$9,675,404) as budget for the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup.
A statement from the Ministry of Information and Media Relation, said Cabinet approved the release of GH¢10,500,000 to the Ghana FA to finance Ghana’s participation in the first group stages of the summer football festival.
“A further amount of GH¢14,177,025 has also been budgeted to cover the team’s expenses when they qualify for subsequent stages of the competition. This brings Government commitment to the Black Stars’ participation to a total of GH ¢24, 677, 025,” the statement signed by the minister Mahama Ayariga noted.
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